ICAO supports opening of inter-Korean airway, but safety check comes first

The United Nations aviation agency supports having direct flights between North and South Korea, on condition of Seoul’s endorsement, but a clear assessment of the safety and security of passengers and flights should be carried out, its chief said Tuesday. “We are interested that these flights are conducted in a safe, secure, efficient manner and we stand ready to support basically if that decision is taken by the government,” said Juan Carlos Salazar, the head of the International Civil Aviation Organization. Salazar was referring to Pyongyang’s 2018 request to allow the establishment of air routes between the two Koreas right before the PyeongChang Winter Olympics kicked off in February that year. Back then, the ICAO said North Korea would have to also discuss the matter with South Korea first and that the organization, which researches new air transport policy and standardization innovations, would have to visit North Korea for inspection before an approval. President Moon Jae-in’s administration had then actively discussed opening airways between the two Koreas as such a breakthrough would cut time for South Korean flights that have had to fly around the North Korean airspace. Establishing an air route between the two Koreas would allow flights departing from Incheon Airport to the US, for instance, to reduce at least 400-500 kilometers of traveling distance. But since peace talks with North Korea came to a halt after the 2019 North Korea-US Hanoi Summit, there has been no further development. “We haven’t been able to conduct a visit (to North Korea) because of the international sanctions. And so, unfortunately, ICAO as an organization does not have any information about the status of compliance with the standards and recommended practices,” said Salazar. “That would be perhaps an important step if the two governments expect to open those routes.”<br/>