Akasa Air

Air Koryo's safety record is a subject of scrutiny due to its operating environment and fleet, but it maintains a relatively good record for fatal accidents. The only known fatal accident occurred in 1983, when the airline was still named CAAK, involving an Ilyushin Il-62 crash that killed 23 people during a non-scheduled service in Guinea. More recent non-fatal incidents include a Tupolev Tu-154B runway excursion in Beijing in 2006 and a Tu-204-300 making an emergency landing in Shenyang in 2016 due to smoke in the cabin.

Regarding regulatory certifications, Air Koryo has passed the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), and was listed on the IOSA Registry, with its registration valid through October 2020, indicating it met a global standard for operational safety. However, Air Koryo has been on the EU Air Safety List (formerly known as the EU ban list) since 2006 due to safety and maintenance concerns. This ban was partially lifted in March 2010, allowing its two newly acquired Tupolev Tu-204 aircraft (P-632 and P-633) to operate into the European Union, as they are fitted with necessary equipment to comply with international standards. The rest of its fleet remains banned from EU airspace. The EU cited "serious safety deficiencies," "persistent failure to address deficiencies," and a "lack of transparency or communication" from Air Koryo and North Korean aviation authorities as reasons for the ban.

The airline's fleet age is a significant factor in safety discussions, with the average age of its aircraft being over 33 years. While some aircraft are relatively newer (the An-148s delivered in 2013 have an average age under 10 years, and the Tu-204s are around 14 years old), much of the fleet consists of older Soviet-era planes like the Tu-134s (average 39.7 years) and Tu-154s (average 44.2 years). Despite the age, some reviews suggest that the aircraft are well-maintained.

Overall safety assessment based on available data indicates a mixed picture. While Air Koryo has a good record for fatal accidents and has passed the IOSA audit, its inclusion on the EU Air Safety List (even if partial) points to ongoing concerns about safety oversight and maintenance practices for parts of its fleet. There is no information suggesting any safety awards or recognitions for Air Koryo.