Air Koryo

History

Air Koryo's lineage traces to 1950, when the Soviet–North Korean Airline (SOKAO) was formed as a joint venture linking Pyongyang and Moscow; it was reorganized as an independent North Korean carrier known as Korean Airways following the Korean War, then took its current name, Air Koryo, in 1993 after the Soviet Union's collapse ended Soviet involvement. As the DPRK's sole airline, it is state-owned and operated under the direct control of North Korean authorities, historically linked to the country's air force. The carrier drew international attention for its aging Soviet-era fleet and was banned from European Union airspace between 2006 and 2020 over safety concerns, regaining access only after acquiring more modern Tupolev Tu-204 aircraft.

Current Operations

Air Koryo remains North Korea's only airline, operating a small fleet of Soviet- and Russian-built aircraft (including Tu-204s and Ilyushin/Antonov types) from its Pyongyang Sunan hub. Its scheduled international network is minimal, currently limited to a handful of routes such as Beijing, Shenyang, and Vladivostok, alongside domestic services; the airline suspended almost all flying during the COVID-19 pandemic and only resumed regular international operations in August 2023. It holds no membership in any global alliance and has very limited codeshare or interline activity, reflecting North Korea's broader international isolation.

Last verified 2026-09-03· Source: airline public disclosures, company press releases & aviation-industry reporting.

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Sample Routes1