Russia and North Korea have launched direct flights between their capitals, with the first Moscow–Pyongyang flight landing on Monday, according to Russian state media.
The flight, operated by Russia’s Nordwind Airlines, departed Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport on Sunday evening and took about eight hours to reach Pyongyang, a statement from the carrier said.
According to RIA Novosti, most of the passengers were North Korean nationals. However, a video released by the outlet showed only members of an official Russian delegation disembarking. The delegation and flight crew were greeted with flowers.
The return flight is scheduled for Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. local time (3:00 a.m. Moscow time). Going forward, Nordwind plans to operate the route once a month.
Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency approved Nordwind’s application for the Moscow–Pyongyang route in early July. Ticket sales began on July 18, with prices starting at 44,700 rubles (about $563).