Lois Larson
Pyongyang International Airport, also known as Pyongyang Sunan International Airport, is the international airport of North Korea. The airport has two terminals, one for international flights and one for domestic flights. The airport was closed to international travel in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and reopened in 2023. However, one reviewer on Tripadvisor noted that the airport was empty and modern, with beautiful finishes, working shops and cafes. This observation may be due to the relatively recent reopening of the airport, as well as the limited number of airlines that service North Korea.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Pyongyang Sunan International Airport |
| IATA Code | FNJ |
| ICAO Code | ZKPY |
| Number of Terminals | 2 |
| Type of Terminals | International and Domestic |
| Amenities | Duty-free store, coffee bar, newsstand, Internet room, snack bar, pharmacy, CD/DVD shop, electronics shop, souvenir shops, restaurants, smoking lounge |
| Currency Accepted | Chinese RMB, Euro, USD, Japanese Yen, Russian Ruble |
| Recent Closure | Closed to international travel in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, reopened in 2023 |
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What You'll Learn
- Pyongyang Sunan International Airport is modern and spotless, with all basic amenities
- The airport was closed to international travel in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Pyongyang Airport has two terminals, one for international flights and one for domestic
- The airport has two functioning runways and a maintenance facility
- In 2012, Kim Jong-un ordered the construction of a new terminal, control tower, and VIP terminal
Pyongyang Sunan International Airport is modern and spotless, with all basic amenities
The Pyongyang Sunan International Airport is a modern airport with two functioning runways and two passenger terminals for domestic and international flights. The airport is about 25 kilometres (16 mi) from the city, about a 30-minute drive by the Pyongyang-Hicheon Expressway. It is also accessible by rail, with Sunan Station, on the Pyongui Line of the Korean State Railway, located 800 meters from the airport terminal building.
The airport is known for its cleanliness and modern facilities. The terminals are newly renovated, with beautiful finishes and a range of shops and cafes. Basic amenities are available, including restrooms with soap and paper towels, a convenience store, a restaurant serving Western cuisine, and a bar serving beers and imported spirits. There is also a smoking lounge and a business-class lounge with a buffet on the upper level.
The international terminal, Terminal 2, was inaugurated on 1 July 2015 and features jet bridges and at least 12 check-in counters. Amenities include a duty-free store, coffee bar, newsstand, and Internet room, along with a snack bar, a pharmacy, a CD/DVD shop, and an electronics shop. The domestic terminal, Terminal 1, opened in January 2016 and is connected to Terminal 2. It has a similar range of shops and restaurants, with the first floor dedicated to departure and arrival areas and the second floor offering various dining and shopping options.
The airport has a rich history, having been occupied by United Nations forces during the Korean War in 1950 and later inundated when the United States Air Force bombed the nearby Toksan Dam in 1953. The North Korean government began repairing and expanding the airport after an armistice was signed, and it has since undergone several renovations and expansions to accommodate increasing air traffic.
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The airport was closed to international travel in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Pyongyang International Airport, the sole international airport serving Pyongyang, North Korea's capital, closed to international travel in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The country shut its borders in early 2020 to prevent the spread of the virus. In January 2020, North Korea closed its borders to all international tourists. The airport remained closed to international travel until 2023, when it reopened with the resumption of Air Koryo flights to Beijing and Vladivostok.
During the closure, North Korea implemented some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions. The country banned tourists, expelled diplomats, and severely limited border crossings. These measures effectively isolated North Korea from the international community, with only a few exceptions. For instance, in 2024, North Korea permitted the entry of about 100 Russian tourists, marking the first time foreign nationals had entered the country for sightseeing since the pandemic's onset.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted North Korea's tourism industry. Before the pandemic, Chinese tourists accounted for approximately 90% of all foreign arrivals, with 350,000 visitors in 2019 alone. However, the closure of borders due to the pandemic halted this influx of visitors, contributing to the emptiness of the airport during that period.
The airport's closure had notable repercussions for North Korea's engagement with international tourists. The country's decision to shut its borders and impose stringent restrictions significantly limited opportunities for foreign travel to the country. This isolationist approach during the pandemic contrasted with North Korea's previous efforts to accommodate international visitors, such as during the 1989 13th World Festival of Youth and Students, where a temporary terminal was built at the airport to welcome attendees.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting closure of Pyongyang International Airport to international travel in 2020 had far-reaching consequences for North Korea's connectivity with the outside world. The country's stringent response, including banning tourists and imposing strict border controls, contributed to an extended period of isolation. As North Korea gradually eased restrictions and reopened its borders, the airport resumed operations, welcoming international flights and tourists once again.
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Pyongyang Airport has two terminals, one for international flights and one for domestic
Pyongyang International Airport, also known as Pyongyang Sunan International Airport, is the only international airport in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. It is located in the Sunan District, about 25 kilometres (16 miles) from the city, and is reachable by a 30-minute drive via the Pyongyang-Hicheon Expressway. Sunan Station, on the Pyongui Line of the Korean State Railway, is also conveniently located just 800 meters (2,600 feet) from the airport terminal.
The airport has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years. In 2012, Kim Jong-un ordered the construction of a new terminal, control tower, and VIP terminal, deeming the previous terminal too small and outdated. The airport was closed to international travel in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but reopened in 2023 with flights to Beijing and Vladivostok.
Pyongyang Airport stands out for its cleanliness and modern amenities, a contrast to the often overcrowded and disorganised airports in other parts of the developing world, especially in Asia. The airport provides a range of services and facilities to meet the needs of travellers, including duty-free stores, a coffee bar, a newsstand, an Internet room, a snack bar, and a pharmacy.
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The airport has two functioning runways and a maintenance facility
The Pyongyang International Airport in North Korea has two functioning runways and a maintenance facility. The runways are designated 17/35 and 01/19, with the former measuring 3,425 by 60 metres (11,237 ft x 197 ft) and the latter measuring 4,000 by 60 metres (13,120 ft x 200 ft). The maintenance facility, located about one kilometre from runway 17/35, includes aircraft hangars and apartment buildings for high-ranking officials and Air Koryo employees.
The airport consists of two adjacent terminals, one for international flights and the other for domestic flights. Terminal 1, which handles domestic flights, has two floors: the first floor consists of departure and arrival areas, while the second floor has various shops and restaurants. Terminal 2, the international terminal, has jet bridges and at least 12 check-in counters. It also offers amenities such as a duty-free store, coffee bar, newsstand, Internet room, snack bar, pharmacy, and electronics shops.
The airport has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years. In 2012, Kim Jong-un ordered the construction of a new terminal, control tower, and VIP terminal. The airport was closed to international travel in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but reopened in 2023 with resumed flights to Beijing and Vladivostok.
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In 2012, Kim Jong-un ordered the construction of a new terminal, control tower, and VIP terminal
The airport has two functioning runways and various amenities, including shops, restaurants, and cafes. It consists of two adjacent terminal buildings: an international terminal and a domestic terminal. The domestic terminal has two stories, with the first floor for departures and arrivals and the second floor offering various shops and restaurants. The international terminal, inaugurated in July 2015, features jet bridges, check-in counters, and amenities such as a duty-free store, coffee bar, newsstand, and an electronics shop.
Pyongyang International Airport has undergone several developments and renovations over the years. After the Korean War, the North Korean government began repairing and expanding the airport. In the 1980s, the Soviet airline Aeroflot provided flights to Moscow and Khabarovsk, and in the 1990s, Air Koryo operated nonstop flights to Moscow, Berlin, and Sofia. More recently, Air China and other airlines offered chartered flight services to Beijing, Seoul, and other destinations, although some of these services were suspended or halted due to low demand or political reasons.
Despite the airport's modern infrastructure and amenities, some travellers have noted that it can be strikingly empty, with few people aside from arriving tourists. Pyongyang's airport stands out from many other airports in the developing world, particularly in Asia, which can be overcrowded or disorganised. The airport's spotlessness and attention to detail in construction are notable, even when compared to other construction projects in North Korea.
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Frequently asked questions
The North Korean airport, Pyongyang International Airport, was closed to international travel in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It only reopened in 2023.
No, the airport was quite busy during the 1989 13th World Festival of Youth and Students held in Pyongyang, with a temporary terminal building erected to accommodate the influx of international attendees.
The airport has two functioning runways and two terminal buildings: an international terminal and a domestic terminal. The terminals are newly renovated, spotless, and have basic amenities, including shops and cafes.
After landing, you go through quarantine and immigration, collect your baggage, and proceed to the customs checkpoint. Your cell phones and books are briefly inspected and counted. You then head through the sliding glass doors to the main foyer area, where you are greeted by local Korean guides.
