Air China to resume North Korea flights after 6 years amid warming ties

Air China will resume direct passenger flights between Beijing and Pyongyang on March 30, marking the first time in six years the airline has operated this route. The service, suspended in January 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, signals warming relations between China and North Korea. Initially, flights are scheduled weekly on Mondays, using a Boeing 737 aircraft. Economy class fares start at 2,630 yuan (US$381) for the Beijing-Pyongyang leg and 2,120 yuan for the return flight. The journey is approximately two hours each way.

Passenger train service between China and North Korea will resume on Thursday after a six-year suspension due to the pandemic. China Railway announced that trains will run four times a week between Beijing and Pyongyang and daily between Dandong, China, and Pyongyang. The service aims to strengthen ties between the two nations, facilitating exchanges for those with valid visas, including workers, students, and those visiting family. While North Korea is slowly reopening, international travelers are permitted on the Beijing-Pyongyang route, though tickets are not yet available for general tourists or businessmen. The initial tickets for the first train departing on Thursday have already sold out to entrepreneurs, government officials and reporters.

China is resuming passenger train services to North Korea after a six-year suspension, signaling warmer relations between the two nations. Starting Thursday, trains will run between Beijing and Pyongyang four times a week, and a daily service will operate between Dandong, China, and Pyongyang. The Beijing-Pyongyang train will allocate two carriages for foreign tourists. The China Railway Group (CREC) stated the restored rail service aims to boost travel, economic and trade cooperation, cultural exchange, and strengthen friendship between the two countries. The move comes as North Korea faces increasing tensions with South Korea and uncertainty with the United States.

Passenger train services between China and North Korea are set to resume this week after a six-year suspension due to Covid-19 restrictions. The first service will depart on Thursday, allowing Chinese and North Korean citizens working or studying in the other country to purchase tickets. Travel agents in Beijing and Dandong confirmed the resumption, though tourist travel is not yet permitted. While China has reopened its borders, North Korea has been more cautious, though it resumed flights and train services with Russia last year. The resumption is significant as China is North Korea's largest economic partner. However, North Korea recently cancelled an international marathon, indicating continued caution regarding opening up.