Air Koryo eyes Europe, SE Asia flights as DPRK seeks more tourists

Air Koryo Crew in front of their Antonov An-24 / © Alexander Hochheimer

Air Koryo is reportedly planning to expand into Southeast Asia and Europe despite biting international sanctions against North Korea. 

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the North Korean regime intends to offer "approved" year-round travel to the reclusive Stalinist state in a bid to attract more tourists and hard currency. 

Among the exciting new travel packages planned is the opportunity to spend both Christmas and New Year in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Air Koryo's international network is at present restricted to Beijing Capital, Shenyang and Vladivostok flights. 

The airline is on the European Union's Annex B of its Banned Operators List with only its two Tu-204s, P-633 (c/n 048) & P-632 (c/n 012), allowed to operate into EU airspace.

Source: CH-Aviation