Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Aviation Permits
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Civil Aviation Authority
- Name: General Administration of Civil Aviation of the DPRK (GACA)
- Contact: Director of ATM, General Administration of Civil Aviation, Sunan District, Pyongyang, DPRK; Tel: +850-2-18111-999 Ext 8108; Fax: +850-2-3814410 Ext 4625; Email: gaca@silibank.com
Estimated Processing Time
Requirements by Operation Type
Prior permission required. Private flights are extremely rare and require extensive government/diplomatic clearance beyond GACA aviation permit. Effectively restricted to diplomatic and humanitarian missions.
Prior permission required for all non-scheduled flights including overflight. All permits require GACA approval. Extremely restricted and politically sensitive. Most operators avoid DPRK airspace entirely.
Only Air Koryo operates scheduled services. Extremely limited scheduled international service (primarily to Beijing and Vladivostok). Foreign scheduled services essentially nonexistent.
Overflight Permit
- Required: Yes
- Authority: General Administration of Civil Aviation of the DPRK (GACA)
- Lead Time: 5 working days minimum before flight operation
- Validity: As specified in permit; typically single-use
- Fees: Overflight fees apply; specific amounts not publicly published. U.S. operators prohibited from paying DPRK fees under OFAC sanctions.
Most airlines avoid DPRK airspace entirely due to risk of unannounced missile launches, especially over maritime portions of Pyongyang FIR (Sea of Japan). Some European carriers (Lufthansa, Air France, Turkish Airlines, KLM, Finnair) use portions of DPRK airspace. U.S. FAA prohibits all U.S. flight operations in Pyongyang (ZKKP) FIR.
Apply by letter, AFS, or facsimile to GACA at least 5 working days before flight operation. Extremely limited communication channels. No online application system available.
Landing Permit
- Required: Yes
- Authority: General Administration of Civil Aviation of the DPRK (GACA)
- Lead Time: 5 working days minimum; significantly longer recommended due to political approvals required
- Validity: As specified in permit; typically single-use
- Fees: Landing charges apply per DPRK fee schedule; specific amounts not widely published
Landing in DPRK is extremely restricted. Only Pyongyang Sunan International Airport (FNJ) serves international flights. Diplomatic or government approval typically required in addition to GACA aviation permit. U.S.-registered aircraft require FAA and OFAC approval.
Apply to GACA by letter, AFS, or facsimile at least 5 working days in advance. Diplomatic/government clearance typically required in parallel. Contact GACA via telephone or fax as no online system exists.
Cabotage
Not applicable; foreign domestic operations not permitted
General Remarks
North Korea is the most restrictive airspace in the Asia-Pacific region. U.S. FAA prohibits all operations in the Pyongyang FIR (ZKKP). EASA has issued conflict zone information bulletins. Risk of unannounced missile launches makes even permitted overflight hazardous. OFAC sanctions prohibit U.S. operators from paying DPRK fees. No GACA website exists; communication only via phone, fax, or letter.