Pyongyang International Airport (IATA: FNJ, ICAO: ZKPY), also known as the Pyongyang Sunan International Airport, is the main airport serving Pyongyang, capital of North Korea. It is located in the city's Sunan District.
Video Pyongyang International Airport
History
Early years
The first airport in Pyongyang was located east of the Taedong River. However, after World War II there was a need for a newer airport, and Sunan Airfield was constructed.
During the Korean War, the airport was occupied by United Nations forces for seven weeks in late 1950. The forces flew large amounts of supplies to Sunan during this period. On 13 May 1953, the airport was inundated when the US Air Force bombed Toksan Dam. After an armistice was signed two months later, the North Korean Government started repairing and expanding the airport.
Development since the 2000s
In 2000, Aeroflot discontinued its flights from Moscow and later discontinued its services from Khabarovsk. Russian Sky Airlines operated charter services to Pyongyang from Russian destinations during the mid 2000s operated by Il-62M and Il-86 aircraft China Southern Airlines offered scheduled charter flights to and from Beijing during the peak season only, and permanently pulled its flights in October 2006. In March 2008, Air China re-established service to Beijing, three days a week, and suspended due to lack of demand on 22 November 2017. Air Koryo, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines also provided chartered flight services to Seoul and Yangyang on the east coast of South Korea from Pyongyang. These flights were used by Korean family members visiting divided family across the border; these services were halted after the ending of the Sunshine Policy by South Korea in 2008.
Modernization
By early 2011, an interim facility handling international flights had been constructed 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 By early 2012, demolition of the existing terminal, which Kim Jong-un deemed too small and outdated, had begun.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. Besides this, a new control tower and VIP terminal north of the main terminal were also constructed. The project became part of a "speed campaign", in which thousands of workers were enlisted to quickly complete it. Most construction was carried out by hand or with simple tools.
September 2017 missile test
On September 15 at about 6:30am KST, North Korea fired a Hwasong-12 missile from the airport. The missile traveled 3,700 kilometres (2,300 mi) and reached a maximum height of 770 kilometres (480 mi).
Maps Pyongyang International Airport
Infrastructure
The Pyongyang airport has two passenger terminals. Terminal 1 opened in January 2016 and solely handles domestic flights. It is connected to Terminal 2, the international terminal that was inaugurated on 1 July 2015. The terminal has jet bridges and at least 12 check-in counters. Amenities include a duty-free store, coffee bar, newsstand and Internet room.
The airport has one functioning runway which is designated 01/19 and measures 4,000 by 60 metres (13,120 ft × 200 ft). Another runway, 17/35, is not in use as of 2013.
Yonhap reported in September 2016 that a maintenance facility had been constructed at the Pyongyang airport. Located about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from runway 01/19, the facility includes aircraft hangars and apartment buildings for high-ranking officials and Air Koryo employees.
Airlines and destinations
Access
The Pyongyang airport is located approximately 24 kilometres (15 mi) from the city, about a 20-minute drive. In addition, Sunan Station located on the Pyongui Line of Korean State Railway is located 800 m away from the Pyongyang airport terminal building.
See also
- Mirim Airport
- Pyongyang Air Base
- Transport in North Korea
References
External links
- 360° virtual tour of the airport - DPRK 360 photography project
- Accident history for FNJ at Aviation Safety Network
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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