BEIJING - Air China restarted direct flights between Beijing and Pyongyang on Monday after a six-year hiatus, another sign isolated North Korea is gradually opening up following the resumption of train services between the capitals.
China has acted as a lifeline for North Korea's moribund economy as its largest trading partner as well as an important source of diplomatic and political support.
Access to North Korea has always been heavily restricted, but the country became almost entirely cut off when it sealed its borders in 2020 during the pandemic.
Flight CA121 departed Beijing Capital Airport at 7:58am (2358 GMT on Sunday), according to FlightStats data, and arrived at Pyongyang's Sunan International Airport at 10:37am (0137 GMT).
The plane was a Boeing 737-700 with capacity for up to 128 passengers, according to travel website Trip.com, though only travellers with business, study or other special purposes can make the cross-border journey.
China's ambassador to North Korea Wang Yajun and other Chinese diplomats greeted the passengers at the airport, Xinhua news agency said.
Earlier, AFP journalists saw travellers at Beijing's bustling airport forming a snaking queue to check in their luggage with the airline.
Pyongyang-bound business traveller Zhao Bin showed reporters his air ticket, and expressed optimism that tourism would resume for Chinese visitors.
"I expect both railway routes and Air China flights will increase, and there will be more exchanges and travel between people," said Zhao, who will be spending around a week in North Korea.
He has visited North Korea multiple times, most recently in 2024, and said that the resumption of the flight route will offer "greater convenience to those of us who frequently travel between Beijing and Pyongyang".