View source for Pyongyang International Airport

{{Short description|Main airport serving Pyongyang, North Korea}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox airport
| name                = Pyongyang International Airport
| nativename-a        = {{nobold|{{lang|ko|평양 국제비행장}}}}
| image               = Pyongyang International Airport.svg
| image-width         = 150
| image2              = Flughafen Sunan, 평양순안국제공항, DPRK (22940961496).jpg
| image2-width        = 250
| caption2            = Terminal 2
| IATA                = FNJ
| ICAO                = ZKPY
| WMO                 = 47058
| type                = Public
| owner               = Government of North Korea
| operator            = 
| city-served         = [[Pyongyang]], [[North Korea]]
| location            = [[Sunan-guyok#Administrative divisions|Ryongbung-ri]], [[Sunan District]], Pyongyang, North Korea
| hub                 = [[Air Koryo]]
| elevation-f         = 111
| metric-elev         = y
| coordinates         = {{coord|39|13|26|N|125|40|12|E|region:KP|display=inline,title}}
| website             = 
| pushpin_map         = North Korea
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in North Korea
| pushpin_label       = '''FNJ'''/ZKPY
| r1-number           = 01/19
| r1-length-m         = 4000
| r1-surface          = [[Concrete]]
| metric-rwy          = y
| r2-number           = 17/35
| r2-length-m         = 3425
| r2-surface          = [[Concrete]]
| footnotes           = '''Sources:''' U.S. DoD FLIP<ref name="dodflip">{{Cite book|title=DoD Flight Information Publication (Enroute) – Supplement Pacific, Australasia and Antarctica|publisher=[[National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency]]|year=2021|location=St. Louis, Missouri|pages=B-271-B-272}}</ref>
}}
{{Infobox Korean name
|context=north
|hangul=평양국제비행장
|hanja=平壤國際飛行場
|rr=Pyeongyang Gukje Bihaengjang
|mr=P'yŏngyang Kukche Pihaengjang
}}

'''Pyongyang International Airport''' ({{Korean|hangul=평양 국제비행장|hanja=平壤國際飛行場|mr=P'yŏngyang Kukche Pihaengjang|context=north}}) {{airport codes|FNJ|ZKPY}}, also known as '''Pyongyang Sunan International Airport''' ({{langx|ko|평양 순안 국제공항}}),<ref name="wad" /> is the sole [[international airport]] serving [[Pyongyang]], the capital of [[North Korea]] and located in the city's [[Sunan District]]. 

==History==
===Early years===
During the period of [[Korea under Japanese rule|Japanese rule]], two airports were built in Pyongyang. [[Pyongyang Air Base]] was built by the Empire of Japan in the 1940s and remained in use until the 1950s. A second airport, [[Mirim Airport]], was also built by the forces of the empire of Japan in the 1940s, east of the [[Taedong River]]. However, after [[World War II]] there was a need for a newer airport, and Sunan Airfield was built. Mirim Airport survived as a military airfield, and Pyongyang Air Base was re-developed for government use and for housing.{{cn|date=January 2025}}

During the [[Korean War]], the airport was occupied by [[United Nations]] forces for seven weeks in late 1950, when the forces flew large amounts of supplies to Sunan. On 13 May 1953, the airport was inundated when the [[United States Air Force]] bombed [[Attack on the Sui-ho Dam|Toksan Dam]]. After an [[Korean Armistice Agreement|armistice]] was signed, two months later, the North Korean Government began repairing and expanding the airport.<ref>Corfield, Justin (2014). ''Historical Dictionary of Pyongyang''. London, UK and New York, NY: Anthem Press. [https://books.google.com/books?id=5zKWBQAAQBAJ p.198].</ref>

The Soviet airline [[Aeroflot]] flew to Moscow and Khabarovsk in the 1980s.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/102335/198586-aeroflot-network/ | title=1985/86: AEROFLOT Network | work=Routesonline | date=2 March 2011 | accessdate=12 June 2021 | archivedate=2016-08-14 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814001836/https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/102335/198586-aeroflot-network/}}</ref> In the 1990s, [[Air Koryo]] also provided nonstop flights to [[Moscow]], which continued on to [[Berlin]] and [[Sofia]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/js/js9810/js98-10.jpg | title=Air Koryo timetable | date=1998 | accessdate=12 June 2021}}</ref>

During the 1989 13th World Festival of Youth and Students held in Pyongyang, a temporary terminal building was erected specifically to accommodate the arrival of the festival’s international attendees.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chosonminhang - Korean Airways |url=https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/choson2.htm |access-date=2024-07-07 |website=www.timetableimages.com}}</ref>

===Development since the 2000s===
[[Russian Sky Airlines]] operated charter services to Pyongyang from Russian destinations in the mid-2000s on [[Ilyushin Il-62|Il-62M]] and [[Ilyushin Il-86|Il-86]] aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://russianplanes.net/id128120|title=✈ russianplanes.net ✈ наша авиация|website=russianplanes.net}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://russianplanes.net/id161712|title=✈ russianplanes.net ✈ наша авиация|website=russianplanes.net}}</ref><ref name="bradtguide">{{cite book|last=Willoughby|first=Robert |title=North Korea: The Bradt Travel Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z4XKBAAAQBAJ|year=2014|publisher=The Globe Pequot Press Inc.|location=Guilford, CT|isbn=978-1-84162-476-1}}</ref> [[China Southern Airlines]] offered scheduled charter flights to and from Beijing during the peak season only, and permanently stopped its flights in October 2006.<ref>[http://www.chinaaviationdaily.com/news/1/1253.html "China Southern to Halt Pyongyang Flights"]. ''[[The Chosun Ilbo]] via China Aviation Daily''. 19 October 2006. Retrieved 29 December 2015.</ref> In March 2008, [[Air China]] re-established service to Beijing on a [[Boeing 737]], three days a week,<ref>Rabinovitch, Simon (31 March 2008). [https://www.reuters.com/article/airchina-northkorea-idUSSP32767020080331 "Air China launches flights to North Korea"]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved 29 December 2015.</ref> and suspended due to lack of demand on 22 November 2017.<ref>[http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2017-11/23/content_34883424.htm "Pyongyang flights suspended due to lack of demand"]. ''China Daily''. Retrieved 23 November 2017.</ref> [[Air Koryo]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2003/2003%20-%202045.html?search=air%20koryo |title=air koryo &#124; 2003 &#124; 2045 &#124; Flight Archive |publisher=Flightglobal.com |access-date=2018-02-12}}</ref> [[Korean Air]] and [[Asiana Airlines]] also provided chartered flight services to [[Incheon International Airport|Seoul]] and [[Yangyang County|Yangyang]], on the east coast of [[South Korea]], from Pyongyang. These flights were used by Koreans visiting relatives across the border; these services were halted after the ending of the [[Sunshine Policy]] by South Korea in 2008.<ref name="bradtguide"/> In June 2018, Air China resumed service from [[Beijing Capital Airport]] to Pyongyang.<ref name="CA">{{cite web|url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/278972/air-china-resumes-pyongyang-service-from-june-2018/|title=Air China resumes Pyongyang service from June 2018|website=routesonline.com}}</ref>

By early 2011, an interim facility handling international flights had been built just south of the existing terminal. By early 2012, demolition of the existing terminal, which [[Kim Jong-un]] deemed too small and outdated, had begun. In July 2012, he ordered the construction of a new terminal.<ref name="straits">[http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/10-things-to-know-about-north-koreas-new-airport-terminal "10 things to know about North Korea's new airport terminal"]. ''The Straits Times''. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2015.</ref> Besides this, a new [[air traffic control|control tower]] and VIP terminal north of the main terminal were also built.<ref>[http://www.airport-technology.com/news/newsnorth-korea-to-open-new-terminal-at-pyongyang-sunan-international-airport-4610359 "North Korea to open new terminal at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023034836/http://www.airport-technology.com/news/newsnorth-korea-to-open-new-terminal-at-pyongyang-sunan-international-airport-4610359 |date=23 October 2018 }}. ''Airport Technology''. 26 June 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2015.</ref> The project became part of a "speed campaign", in which thousands of workers were enlisted to complete it quickly.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/22/north-korea-soldier-builders-finish-pyonyang-new-airport "North Korea enlists thousands of workers to finish new airport"]. ''Associated Press via The Guardian''. 22 October 2014. Retrieved 29 December 2015.</ref> On 15 September 2017, about 6:30am KST, [[2017 North Korean missile tests|North Korea fired a Hwasong-12 missile]] from the airport. The missile travelled 3,700 kilometers (2,300&nbsp;mi) and reached a maximum height of 770 kilometers (480&nbsp;mi).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-41275614|title=North Korea 'fires missile from Pyongyang'|date=15 September 2017|work=BBC|access-date=15 September 2017|language=en-GB}}</ref>

The airport was closed to international travel in 2020 because of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-05-24 |title=Satellite images show 'unusual' level of aircraft maintenance in N. Korea |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/satellite-images-show-unusual-level-of-aircraft-maintenance-in-n-korea/articleshow/100474064.cms |access-date=2023-07-16 |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> and reopened in 2023 with the resumption of [[Air Koryo]] flights to [[Beijing]] and [[Vladivostok]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Air Koryo plane lands in China, first commercial North Korean flight in 3 years |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3231884/air-koryo-plane-lands-china-first-commercial-north-korean-flight-3-years |date=2023-08-22 |work=[[South China Morning Post]]}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
{{external media| video1 = [http://mediaryugyong.com.kp/video/detail?id=64fae8d0d9d68964e7d88d32&lang=en Terminal Service Base of Pyongyang International Airport]}}
===Terminals===
Pyongyang International Airport has two passenger terminals. Terminal 1 opened in January 2016 and handles domestic flights only.<ref name="xinhua26feb2016">{{cite news | url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/photo/2016-02/26/c_135132425.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304142851/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/photo/2016-02/26/c_135132425.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=4 March 2016 | title=Terminal 1 of Pyongyang Sunan Int'l Airport starts operation in DPRK | work=[[Xinhua News Agency]] | date=26 February 2016 | access-date=2 February 2017}}</ref> It is connected to Terminal 2,<ref name="xinhua26feb2016" /> the international terminal, which was inaugurated on 1 July 2015.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2015/07/01/with-great-fanfare-pyongyang-opens-new-airport-terminal | title=With much fanfare, fancy new terminal opens at Pyongyang's international airport | work=[[U.S. News & World Report]] | date=1 July 2015 | agency=[[Associated Press]] | access-date=2 February 2017}}</ref> Terminal 2 has [[jet bridge]]s and at least 12 check-in counters.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2015/07/02/North-Korea-Airport-terminal-is-new-face-of-country/1441435858877/ | title=North Korea: Airport terminal is 'new face' of country | work=[[United Press International]] | date=2 July 2015 | access-date=2 February 2017 | author=Shim, Elizabeth}}</ref><ref name="st2july2015">{{cite news | url=http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/10-things-to-know-about-north-koreas-new-airport-terminal | title=10 things to know about North Korea's new airport terminal | work=[[The Straits Times]] | date=2 July 2015 | access-date=2 February 2017 | location=Singapore}}</ref> Amenities include a [[duty-free store]], coffee bar, newsstand and Internet room,<ref name="st2july2015" /><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/27/north-korea-airport-air-koyro-worst-airline | title=North Korea's shiny new airport falls short of expectations | work=[[The Guardian]] | date=27 August 2015 | agency=[[Associated Press]] | access-date=2 February 2017 | author=Talmadge, Eric}}</ref> along with a snack bar, a pharmacy, a CD/DVD shop, and an electronics shop. There is also a business-class lounge with a buffet on the upper level, along with an outdoor viewing area. During the construction period, a hangar-like structure served the airport with basic services (baggage carousel), a [[duty-free shop]], and a bookshop/souvenir shop.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.traveller.com.au/north-korea-races-to-build-new-international-airport-in-pyongyang-11ayq5|title=North Korea races to build new international airport in Pyongyang|date=24 October 2014|website=Traveller}}</ref>

===Runways===
The airport has two functioning [[runways]]: one is designated 17/35 and measures {{convert|3425|x|60|m}},<ref>{{cite web | url=https://skyvector.com/airport/ZKPY/Pyongyang-Airport | title=ZKPY – Pyongyang Airport | work=SkyVector | access-date=2022-11-25}}</ref><ref name="dodflip"/><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a46gFDWr3aMC| title=Historical Dictionary of Pyongyang | publisher=Anthem Press | author=Corfield, Justin | year=2013 | location=London, UK | isbn=978-0-85728-234-7 | page=198}}</ref><ref name="wad">{{cite web | url=http://worldaerodata.com/wad.cgi?id=KN00001 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061110172835/http://worldaerodata.com/wad.cgi?id=KN00001 | url-status=usurped | archive-date=10 November 2006 | title=Pyongyang Intl -- ZKPY | work=World Aero Data | date=2006 | access-date=2 February 2017}}</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|date=August 2023}} while the other, designated 01/19, measures {{convert|4000|x|60|m}}.<ref name="dodflip"/>

===Maintenance===
[[Yonhap]] reported in September 2016 that a maintenance facility had been built at the Pyongyang airport. About {{convert|1|km|mi|frac=2|abbr=off|spell=in}} from runway 17/35, the facility includes aircraft hangars and apartment buildings for high-ranking officials and [[Air Koryo]] employees.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2016/09/01/0401000000AEN20160901005100315.html | title=N. Korea builds large-scale maintenance complex for Air Koryo planes: report | work=[[Yonhap]] | date=1 September 2016 | access-date=2 February 2017}}</ref>

==Airlines and destinations==
<!-- Please use independent sources. The airport and the airline itself are not independent sources. -->
{{Airport destination list
|[[Air Koryo]]<ref name="AK">{{cite web|url=http://www.airkoryo.com.kp/flight/timetable|title=timetable|website=airkoryo.com.kp|access-date=6 June 2018|archive-date=21 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521002246/http://www.airkoryo.com.kp/flight/timetable|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Time Table |url=http://www.airkoryo.com.kp/flight/timetable |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=www.airkoryo.com.kp}}</ref> | [[Beijing Capital International Airport|Beijing–Capital]], [[Orang Airport|Chongjin]], [[Sondok Airport|Hamhung]], [[Samjiyon Airport|Samjiyon]], [[Shenyang Taoxian International Airport|Shenyang]], [[Vladivostok International Airport|Vladivostok]], [[Kalma Airport|Wonsan]]
|}}

== Accidents and incidents ==
* On 16 February 1958, a [[Douglas DC-3]] of [[Korean National Airlines]] was hijacked on a flight from [[Busan]] to [[Seoul]] by 8 hijackers demanding to be taken to North Korea and landed here. All 34 occupants survived.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ASN Aircraft accident Douglas DC-3 registration unknown Pyongyang-Sunan Airport (FNJ) |url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19580216-0 |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=aviation-safety.net}}</ref>

* On 31 March 1970, a [[Boeing 727|Boeing 727-89]] of [[Japan Airlines|JAL]] ([[Japan Air Lines Flight 351|JA8315]]) was hijacked on a flight from [[Tokyo]] to [[Fukuoka]] by 9 hijackers demanding to be taken to North Korea and landed here. All 115 occupants survived.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 727-89 JA8315 Pyongyang-Sunan Airport (FNJ) |url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19700331-0 |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=aviation-safety.net}}</ref>

* On 15 August 2006, a [[Tupolev Tu-154|Tupolev Tu-154B-2]] of Air Koryo (possibly P-561) suffered minor damage in a non-fatal runway mishap on landing from Beijing and was later repaired.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ASN Aircraft accident Tupolev Tu-154B-2 P-561 ? Pyongyang-Sunan Airport (FNJ) |url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20060815-0 |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=aviation-safety.net}}</ref>

==Ground transportation==
The airport is about {{convert|25|km}} from the city,<ref name="jt25jun2015">{{cite news|date=25 June 2015|title=Map of Sunan-Pyongyang airport|work=|agency=|url=https://www.pyongyang-airport.com/en/map_pyongyang_airport.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505162419/https://www.pyongyang-airport.com/en/map_pyongyang_airport.php|url-status=usurped|archive-date=5 May 2019|access-date=18 February 2021}}</ref> about 30 minutes' drive by the Pyongyang-Hicheon Expressway.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aM5PCgAAQBAJ| title=The Rough Guide to Korea | publisher=[[Rough Guides]] | year=2015 | pages=<!-- Not visible in online version --> | isbn=978-0-241-24637-5}}</ref> In addition, [[Sunan Station]], on the [[Pyongui Line]] of the [[Korean State Railway]], is {{convert|800|meters}} from the Pyongyang airport terminal building.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.2427junction.com/dprkreportpb2.html|title=平壌～北京間国際列車－平壌→定州|website=www.2427junction.com|access-date=21 June 2017}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Mirim Airport]]
*[[Pyongyang Air Base]]
*[[Transport in North Korea]]
*[[Wonsan Kalma International Airport]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline|Sunan International Airport}}
*[http://www.dprk360.com/360/pyongyang_sunan_international_airport/ 360° virtual tour] of the airport{{snd}} DPRK 360 photography project
*{{ASN|FNJ}}

{{Portalbar|North Korea|Aviation}}
{{Airports in North Korea}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Airports in North Korea]]
[[Category:Transport in Pyongyang]]