Pyongyang Sunan International Airport

Pyongyang Sunan International Airport
Name	Pyongyang Sunan International Airport
Image-width	250
Caption	Terminal 2, opened in 2015.
IATA	FNJ
ICAO	ZKPY
Owner	Government of North Korea
Operator	Korean People's Army, Air Koryo
City-served	Pyongyang
Location	Sunan District
Elevation-f	117
Elevation-m	36
Coordinates	39, 13, 26, N...
R1-number	01/19
R1-length-m	3,800
R1-length-f	12,467
R1-surface	Concrete
R2-number	17/35
R2-length-m	3,200
R2-length-f	10,499
R2-surface	Concrete

Contents

History
Facilities
Airlines and destinations
Ground transportation
Accidents and incidents
See also

Pyongyang Sunan International Airport. It is the primary and busiest international aviation gateway for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, located in the Sunan District of the national capital, Pyongyang. The airport serves as the main hub for the national flag carrier, Air Koryo, and also functions as a key base for the Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force. Its facilities were significantly upgraded with the opening of a new terminal in 2015, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea.

History

The airfield's origins trace back to the Korean War era, initially developed for military use. It was later designated as the country's primary civilian airport, with the first passenger terminal constructed in the 1970s. The airport gained wider international recognition following the Dissolution of the Soviet Union, as it became a critical link for the isolated state. A major modernization project, reportedly involving Korean People's Army units and foreign contractors, culminated in the inauguration of the new Terminal 2 in July 2015, ahead of celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea. This expansion was part of broader development efforts in the Sunan District under the leadership of Kim Jong-un.

Facilities

The airport features two passenger terminals. The original Terminal 1 is used primarily for domestic and charter flights, while the modern Terminal 2, designed by a Singapore-based firm, handles scheduled international operations. It has two concrete runways: the primary Runway 01/19 and a secondary Runway 17/35. The air traffic control tower and navigational aids are operated by the Korean People's Army. Key infrastructure includes maintenance hangars for Air Koryo, cargo facilities, and a VIP pavilion used by state officials and visiting dignitaries, such as those attending events like the Pyongyang International Film Festival.

Airlines and destinations

Air Koryo maintains a monopoly on scheduled commercial flights, using a fleet of Soviet-era aircraft including the Tupolev Tu-204 and Antonov An-148. Its international network connects to cities such as Beijing, Vladivostok, and Shenyang. Occasional charter services are operated by carriers like Air China to Beijing and I Fly to Moscow. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were limited services to destinations like Kuala Lumpur and Kuwait.

Ground transportation

The airport is connected to central Pyongyang via the Pyongyang–Hyangsan Tourist Motorway. The primary means of transport for visitors are pre-arranged vehicles operated by state tourism agencies like KITC or diplomatic services. There is no public rail link, though the airport is situated near major military and government complexes in the Sunan District. Access for foreign nationals is tightly controlled, with movement typically coordinated through the State Affairs Commission or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Accidents and incidents

The airport and its operators have been involved in several notable aviation safety events. In July 1983, a Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force Ilyushin Il-62M crashed during an approach, resulting in significant loss of life. A major incident occurred in July 2016 when an Air Koryo Tupolev Tu-204 overran the runway after landing from Beijing, causing substantial damage to the aircraft but no fatalities. These events have been cited in safety audits by organizations like the International Civil Aviation Organization.