🇰🇵 Pyongyang Sunan International Airport

Pyongyang Sunan International Airport (ZKPY (FNJ)) is North Korea's sole international airport, serving as the primary aerial gateway to the capital city of Pyongyang. It is located approximately 25 kilometers from central Pyongyang in the Sunan District.

Type of Facility and Operations: Pyongyang Sunan International Airport functions as a public airport and an active military air base, owned by the Government of North Korea and operated by the Civil Aviation Administration of Korea. It serves as the main hub for Air Koryo, the national carrier of North Korea, which operates both domestic and international flights. The airport handles passenger and cargo operations, with dedicated facilities for sorting and handling shipments. The infrastructure includes two passenger terminals, a control tower, and a dedicated VIP terminal. Terminal 1 handles domestic routes, while Terminal 2, inaugurated in 2015, is equipped with jet bridges and serves international traffic.

Notable Features or History: Originally known as Sunan Airfield, the airport was constructed after World War II to replace earlier Japanese-built airfields. During the Korean War, United Nations forces occupied the site for a period in late 1950. In 1953, the facility was flooded following the bombing of the Toksan Dam. A significant redevelopment project began in 2012, which involved the demolition of the original terminal and the construction of the new, modern facilities that opened in 2015 and 2016. The airport is considered a national critical asset due to its status as the nation's only major international airport and is guarded 24/7. Notably, the airport currently lacks hotels or rest facilities for passengers.

Current Status: Pyongyang Sunan International Airport is active and reopened to international travel in 2023 following a closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It maintains limited international connections, with scheduled services to cities such as Beijing, Shenyang, Vladivostok, and Moscow-Sheremetyevo. While recent terminal renovations have improved passenger comfort, overall capacity remains limited due to low flight frequency and passenger traffic.