The first direct passenger flight between Moscow and Pyongyang since the mid-1990s was scheduled to depart on Sunday evening.
The flight, operated by Russian private airline Nordwind Airlines, marks a renewed transportation link between Russia and North Korea amid growing ties between the two nations.
The journey covers roughly 6,500 kilometers and is expected to take around eight hours.
The aircraft, a Boeing 777-200ER, was set to leave Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow at 19:00 local time.
According to Russian state media, all 440 seats were quickly booked, with tickets priced at approximately 44,700 rubles ($563).
However, international reports suggested a few tickets were still available shortly before takeoff.
Nordwind Airlines has received approval from Russia’s aviation authority to operate the Moscow-Pyongyang route twice weekly.
However, the service will initially run once a month while demand builds. A return flight from North Korea’s capital is expected on Tuesday.
This air connection follows the recent reopening of a direct train route between the two cities.
The Moscow-Pyongyang train service resumed in June after being halted during the pandemic.
The rail journey takes eight days to complete and spans around 10,000 kilometers.
Russia and North Korea have been deepening political, military, and economic relations, especially since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Western countries have accused Pyongyang of supplying weapons and troops to assist Russia, including reports of over 10,000 North Korean soldiers stationed in Russian territory.
Meanwhile, the Russian government has canceled its annual Navy Day parade in St. Petersburg, citing security concerns.
The city’s airport was temporarily shut down after intercepting numerous Ukrainian drones, some of which were reportedly near St. Petersburg.
Russian authorities said around 100 drones were shot down across the country.
In the Black Sea region, Ukrainian attacks have forced Russia’s naval fleet to retreat from its Crimean bases.
The fleet’s main warship, the Moskva, was sunk by Ukraine in 2022, becoming the largest Russian vessel lost since World War II.