EU warns officials to avoid N.K. air carrier

Officials from the European Union have been advised to avoid using North Korea’s only airline Air Koryo due to safety concerns, according to the British Foreign Office’s website.

Normally, Europeans traveling to the reclusive state fly from Beijing to Pyongyang on Air Koryo.

The North Korean flag carrier was on the blacklist of airlines named by the European Commission that were banned from operating in the EU region, due to their failure to meet international safety standards in 2006.

In March 2010, however, the commission relaxed the grip on the North Korean carrier, allowing it to resume operations of its two aircraft with necessary equipment.

“Despite being on the EU blacklist, Air Koryo is still used by some members of Pyongyang’s international community, including businesspeople, diplomats, NGOs and international organizations,” said the website, which was updated on Feb. 9.

“However, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has explained the concerns about Air Koryo to its staff and advised them to avoid using Air Koryo unless operationally essential.”

North Korea is trying to attract more foreign tourists for the upcoming events in celebration of the 100th day since the birth of Kim Il-sung, founder of the communist state, in April.

Meanwhile, Air Koryo is scheduled to open a route to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia this year, according to Malaysian Digest news website.

Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd chief financial officer Faizal Mansor told reporters that the company would add five to six new airlines including the North Korean carrier flying to Malaysia, it said.

The North Korean carrier will also open a new route to Harbin in China from Pyongyang, the airliner said on its Facebook page.

The flight will operate every Monday departing Pyongyang, it said.

Air Koryo, established in 1950, is based in Sunan, Pyongyang.

By Kim Yoon-mi (yoonmi@heraldcorp.com)