North Korea's State-Owned Airline, Koryŏ Hanggong
Brief Overview
Koryŏ Hanggong is the state-owned flag carrier of North Korea. It was established on September 21, 1950, and is headquartered in Pyongyang, North Korea. Koryŏ Hanggong operates both domestic and international flights, with service to several cities in Asia and Europe. The airline's fleet consists of a variety of aircraft, including Tupolev Tu-134s, Ilyushin Il-62Ms, and Boeing 737s. Koryŏ Hanggong has been the subject of controversy over its safety record and its involvement in illicit activities.
History
Koryŏ Hanggong was founded in 1950 as the national airline of North Korea. In the early years, the airline operated a small fleet of aircraft, including Soviet-built Ilyushin Il-12s and Li-2s. In the 1960s, Koryŏ Hanggong began to expand its fleet and routes, adding new aircraft such as the Tupolev Tu-104 and the Ilyushin Il-62. In the 1970s, the airline began to operate international flights to several cities in Asia and Europe.
In the 1980s, Koryŏ Hanggong faced a number of challenges, including the economic sanctions imposed on North Korea by the United States and the collapse of the Soviet Union. The airline was forced to reduce its fleet and routes, and it began to rely heavily on charter flights to generate revenue. In the 1990s, Koryŏ Hanggong began to rebuild its fleet and routes, and it also began to offer new services, such as cargo flights and package tours.
Recent Developments
In recent years, Koryŏ Hanggong has continued to expand its fleet and routes. The airline has added new aircraft, such as the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A330, and it has also begun to offer new services, such as in-flight entertainment and duty-free shopping. In 2017, Koryŏ Hanggong launched its first direct flight to the United States, flying from Pyongyang to New York City.
Koryŏ Hanggong has been the subject of controversy over its safety record and its involvement in illicit activities. In 2016, the airline was banned from operating flights to the European Union due to safety concerns. In 2017, the United States Treasury Department designated Koryŏ Hanggong as a Specially Designated National (SDN), which prohibits U.S. citizens from doing business with the airline.
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