Pyongyang Sunan International Airport
Pyongyang, North Korea
Pyongyang Sunan International Airport
North Korea's primary international gateway near Pyongyang.
- ›Air Koryo is one of the few airlines in the world rated one star by Skytrax.
- ›A large modern terminal was inaugurated around 2015 as a prestige project under Kim Jong-un.
- ›International flights have been severely limited, especially following North Korea's 2020 border closures due to COVID-19.
- ›The airport has served as an arrival point for rare diplomatic visits and humanitarian missions to North Korea.
- ›North Korea's airspace is largely closed to overflights, making Sunan one of the most isolated major airports in the world.
Pyongyang Sunan International Airport is North Korea's primary international aviation hub, located approximately 24 kilometres north of the capital Pyongyang. The airport underwent significant reconstruction completed around 2015, resulting in a modern terminal designed to project national prestige, featuring marble interiors and socialist realist architectural motifs. It handles the limited international routes permitted by the DPRK government, primarily connecting Pyongyang to Beijing, Shenyang, and select other destinations.
- International Terminal — Rebuilt and reopened around 2015, featuring expansive marble halls, murals, and modern check-in facilities serving all international arrivals and departures.
- Domestic Terminal — Older facility handling the minimal domestic air traffic within North Korea, with basic amenities and restricted access for foreigners.
- State-arranged tour bus transfers (mandatory for most foreign visitors)
- Government-assigned taxi services
- Private vehicle arranged through official travel agencies
- Koryo Hotel, Pyongyang
- Yanggakdo International Hotel
- Ryugyong Health Complex
Dining inside the airport is available through a limited state-run café and restaurant offering Korean dishes and beverages, with menus catering primarily to transit passengers. Outside the airport, foreign visitors are typically escorted to approved restaurants serving traditional Korean cuisine such as naengmyeon and bulgogi. Independent dining without a government guide is not permitted for foreign tourists.
- All foreign visitors must enter North Korea through an officially sanctioned tour operator — independent travel is not permitted.
- Photography at the airport and during transit is heavily restricted; always seek guide approval before taking photos.
- Currency exchange is available at the airport; only foreign hard currencies such as euros, Chinese yuan, and US dollars are accepted.
- Arrival procedures including customs and immigration can be lengthy; carry all required visas and documentation in physical printed form.
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Pyongyang International Airport (Korean: 평양국제비행장), also known as Pyongyang Sunan International Airport, is the sole international airport serving Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea and located in the city's Sunan District.
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