Airport Accessibility In North Korea: A Mystery Unveiled

North Korea is an extremely secretive country, and it is difficult to ascertain the number of usable airfields and airports within its borders. However, it is known that North Korea has one functioning international airport, Pyongyang Sunan International Airport, located in the capital city of Pyongyang. This airport serves as the main point of entry and exit for most western visitors to North Korea and has been the site of several notable incidents, including hijackings and missile launches.

North Korea has 78 usable airfields, but most are for military use

North Korea is a country shrouded in secrecy, and while it is believed to have 78 usable airfields, the exact number and their conditions are hard to verify. The country's isolationist policies and tight control of information make it challenging to gather accurate, up-to-date data. However, we can make some observations about North Korea's airfields and aviation landscape.

Pyongyang Sunan International Airport stands out as the main international gateway to North Korea. It is the only functioning international airport in the country and serves as the primary point of entry and exit for most western visitors. The airport has two terminals, with Terminal 2 being the larger one for international flights. Pyongyang Sunan International Airport is served by Air Koryo, the country's state carrier and sole airline, which joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in the late 1990s. Air Koryo operates flights to a handful of destinations, including Beijing, Shenyang, Vladivostok, and Shanghai.

Beyond Pyongyang Sunan, North Korea has several other airports and airfields, but their status and level of activity vary. Some of these, like Kyongsong-Chuul Airport, T'aet'an-pihaengjang Airport, and Hoeyang Southeast Airport, are listed as hard surface airports. There are also non-hard surface airports, such as Ichon Northeast Airport, Sohung South Airport, and Tanchon South Airport. However, many of these airfields appear to be for military use, with the Korean People's Army Air Force (KPAF) being the unified military aviation force in North Korea.

The KPAF is a significant branch of the country's military, with an estimated 110,000 members and a range of combat aircraft, helicopters, and transporters, mostly of Soviet and Chinese origin. North Korea's focus on military aviation is evident, and while there have been proclamations to upgrade several airports to international standards, commercial aviation remains almost non-existent outside of Pyongyang Sunan.

In summary, while North Korea may have 78 usable airfields, the majority are likely for military purposes, with Pyongyang Sunan International Airport being the notable exception as the country's gateway to the outside world. The exact nature and utilisation of these airfields remain veiled in the secrecy that surrounds the nation.

Pyongyang Sunan International Airport is North Korea's only functioning international airport

North Korea may have as many as 78 usable airfields, but with the exception of Pyongyang Sunan International Airport, commercial aviation in the country is practically non-existent. Pyongyang Sunan International Airport, located in the Sunan District of Pyongyang, is North Korea's only functioning international airport and the main point of entry and exit for most western visitors.

The airport has two terminals: Terminal 1, which opened in January 2016, handles domestic flights only, while Terminal 2, which was inaugurated on 1 July 2015, is the larger, international terminal. The airport has two functioning runways. Terminal 2 has jet bridges and at least 12 check-in counters, along with amenities including a duty-free store, coffee bar, newsstand, and internet room. The building is modern and well-maintained, with two storeys. The arrival and processing area is on the ground floor, while departures are on the upper floor. There is also an atrium with shops and restaurants, and an outdoor viewing area.

There are only two airlines that fly regular flights to Pyongyang Sunan International Airport: Air Koryo, the national carrier of North Korea, and Air China. Air Koryo flies to Beijing, Shenyang, Vladivostok, and Shanghai, while Air China flies from Beijing up to three times a week, depending on demand. In the past, Air Koryo has also operated flights to destinations including Macau, Kuwait, Kuala Lumpur, and Moscow.

Pyongyang's original airports were two Japanese-era constructions, one in the Mirim District and one just east of the Taedong River. After the Korean War, during which the airport was occupied by United Nations forces, Sunan Airfield was built. The airport was renovated and expanded in the 2010s, and the new Terminal 2 opened in 2016.

Air Koryo is North Korea's state carrier and the only North Korean airline

North Korea has a lot of airfields, with sources estimating that there could be as many as 78 usable airfields. However, due to the state's secrecy, it is difficult to determine the exact number of airfields and their condition. The majority of these airfields are used for military purposes.

Pyongyang Sunan International Airport is North Korea's only functioning international airport. It is located in the Sunan District, 25km north of the Pyongyang urban area. The airport has two terminal buildings, with the smaller one dedicated to domestic flights and the larger one catering to international flights.

Air Koryo's fleet consists of around 20 aircraft, including Ilyushin and Tupolev aircraft from the Soviet Union and Russia, and Antonovs from Ukraine. The airline has a history that dates back to the founding of the Soviet-North Korean Airline (SOKAO) in 1950. Over the years, it has undergone several reorganizations and name changes, finally adopting the name Air Koryo in 1993.

In addition to its aviation services, Air Koryo has also branched out into other commercial sectors such as ground transportation and consumer goods during the rule of Kim Jong Un.

Pyongyang Sunan International Airport has two terminals, one for domestic flights and one for international

North Korea has up to 78 usable airfields, but due to the country's secrecy, it is challenging to determine their exact number and condition. The majority of these airfields are believed to be for military use, and commercial aviation in North Korea is virtually non-existent, except for Pyongyang Sunan International Airport and a few irregularly serviced by Air Koryo.

Pyongyang Sunan International Airport, also known as Pyongyang International Airport, is the only international airport serving Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. It is located in the Sunan District, about 24 kilometres (15 miles) from the city centre. The airport has two terminals: Terminal 1, which handles domestic flights, and Terminal 2, the international terminal.

Terminal 1, which opened in January 2016, is connected to Terminal 2, which was inaugurated on 1 July 2015. Terminal 2 has jet bridges and a minimum of 12 check-in counters. It offers a range of amenities, including a duty-free store, coffee bar, newsstand, internet room, snack bar, pharmacy, CD/DVD shop, and electronics shop. There is also a business-class lounge with a buffet and an outdoor viewing area.

The airport has two runways: 17/35, measuring 3,425 by 60 metres (11,237 ft x 197 ft), and 01/19, measuring 4,000 by 60 metres (13,120 ft x 200 ft). In 2019, only two airlines served the airport: Air China and Air Koryo, the latter of which uses the airport as a hub.

Pyongyang's original airports were built by the Japanese during their rule in the 1940s

North Korea's secrecy makes it difficult to ascertain the number and condition of its airfields with certainty, but it is estimated that the country may have as many as 78 usable airfields. The country's sole international airport is Pyongyang Sunan International Airport, located in the capital city's Sunan District.

After World War II, there was a need for a newer airport, and the Sunan Airfield was built. The Pyongyang Air Base and Mirim Airport played significant roles during the Korean War. In late 1950, the United Nations forces occupied the airport for seven weeks, using it to fly large amounts of supplies to Sunan. On May 13, 1953, the airport was bombed by the United States Air Force, causing significant damage.

Following an armistice, the North Korean government began repairing and expanding the airport. In the 1980s, the Soviet airline Aeroflot operated flights to Moscow and Khabarovsk. In the 1990s, Air Koryo, the North Korean state carrier, began providing nonstop flights to Moscow, with connections to Berlin and Sofia. Pyongyang Sunan International Airport continues to serve as the main gateway to the country, offering flights to a limited number of foreign destinations.

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