Airlines expect to benefit from opening of North Korean airspace

By Yoon Ja-young

The country's airlines are expecting the reopening of North Korean airspace, which will save costs and shorten flight times. The government is also analyzing the benefits, which will only be possible with a successful summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump.

According to the government, the Ministry of Land, Transport and Infrastructure is reviewing diverse issues related with opening air routes over North Korean territory. It follows North Korea's suggestion to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to open international routes involving both Pyongyang Flight Information Region (FIR) and Incheon FIR. The ICAO allocates FIRs to member countries for provision of flight information. The ICAO has around 190 member countries including North Korea.

This means North Korea wants to open routes linking it to third countries through South Korean airspace. North Korea had previously operated international routes linking it with countries such as Germany, Kuwait and Malaysia, but many of the routes have been shut down following sanctions. Air Koryo, North Korea's only airline, currently operates only on routes between North Korea and major cities of China and Russia.

The South Korean government also banned its flagship carriers from flying over North Korean airspace in May 2010, following the sinking of the warship Cheonan. Foreign carriers have also been using detours as the ICAO has issued warnings about flying over North Korean airspace following a series of missile and nuclear tests by North Korea. Only Russian airplanes fly over North Korean airspace.

If North Korea and South Korea open their airspaces to each other, it could be a win-win for both. North Korea would receive around 800,000 won each time an airplane flies over its territory. Currently, routes B332 and B467 include North Korea's FIR. B467 stretches above Incheon, the East Sea, and Russia, for flights to North America and Europe.

Korean airlines can cut between 200 kilometers and 500 kilometers from routes linking Incheon with the United States, saving 16 billion won in fuel. The flagship carriers have been detouring to the airspace of Japan instead of the Kamchatka route. It sometimes adds one hour to flight time.

Though South Korea and North Korea are heading toward peace following the historic summit between President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un last month, the opening of the routes will be possible only when North Korea's summit with the United States comes with a successful outcome. Air Koryo and all its planes are also sanctioned by the United States.