North Korea’s Air Koryo is great. Here’s why.

Published: 29 May 2024
on channel: Johnny G
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Discovering Air Koryo: North Korea's Mysterious Airline – Air Koryo, the flag carrier of North Korea a great airline. Watch this video to find out why.

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Welcome to an intriguing exploration of Air Koryo, North Korea's national airline. Did you know North Korea has an airline? Let me introduce you to Air Koryo.

Despite being one of the most obscure airlines globally, Air Koryo is highly sought after by adventure seekers. Their fleet, mostly comprising Soviet-era planes with an average age of nearly 40 years, adds to the allure.

How does Air Koryo operate, and what is it like to fly with them? Let's take a closer look.

Founded in the 1950s, Air Koryo, initially known as SOKAO Soviet–Korean Airlines, connected Pyongyang with the Soviet Union. Post-Korean War, the airline rebranded as Korean Airways, starting with modest aircraft like the Lisunov Li-2 and Ilyushin Il-12. The 1960s brought in more Soviet classics like the Ilyushin Il-14 and Il-18.

The jet age arrived in 1975 with the Tupolev Tu-154, expanding their reach from Pyongyang to cities like Prague, East Berlin, and Moscow, despite necessary pit stops in Irkutsk and Novosibirsk. The luxurious Ilyushin Il-62 followed, enabling non-stop flights to destinations like Moscow, Sofia, and Belgrade.

Post-Cold War, international routes persisted until 1992 when the airline was rebranded to Air Koryo, offering flights to various international destinations. The 1990s saw the introduction of the Ilyushin Il-76 for cargo, ensuring North Korean exports continued.

Sanctions in the 2000s, however, made maintaining international routes challenging. Unable to purchase new planes or parts, Air Koryo relies on maintaining their aging fleet. Their aircraft are some of the last airworthy models of their kind, showcasing exceptional maintenance efforts.

Today, Air Koryo's fleet includes the Antonov An-148-100B, Ilyushin Il-62M, and Tupolev Tu-204. Most North Koreans are excluded from international flights, reflecting the regime's tight control.

In 2023, international flights resumed, yet information about the fleet's current status remains scarce. Despite being the only one-star rated airline, experiences reported by travelers suggest Air Koryo offers more than its rating implies, with free sushi and generous legroom outshining many budget carriers.

This video includes footage from the following channels, consider following them:
   / @samchui  
   / @simply_aviation  
   / @simonwilson12  
   / @arirangcokrarirangnews  
   / @guardiannews  
   / @afp  
   / @quixoticguide  

Timestamps:
0:00 INTRO
0:47 HISTORY
02:09 INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
04:33 HOW GREAT IS AIR KORYO (PASSENGER POV)

#airkoryo #northkorea #dprk #aviation #tupolev #antonov #soviet


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