At 4:40 p.m. on May 31, plane JS561 of North Korean airline Air Koyro first landed at Jinan International Airport, capital of Shandong province, China.

The plane was welcomed with a banner reading `Congratulations to Air Koyro for successfully opening the Jinan – Pyongyang route`.

At 4:40 p.m. on May 31, plane JS561 of North Korean airline Air Koyro first landed at Jinan International Airport, capital of Shandong province, China.

The plane was welcomed with a banner reading `Congratulations to Air Koyro for successfully opening the Jinan – Pyongyang route`.

An Air Koryo flight attendant is smiling and receiving flowers from her Chinese colleagues, celebrating the official opening of the new flight.

Air Koryo is the North Korean national airline founded in 1955, and is also the country’s only airline company.

An Air Koryo flight attendant is smiling and receiving flowers from her Chinese colleagues, celebrating the official opening of the new flight.

Air Koryo is the North Korean national airline founded in 1955, and is also the country’s only airline company.

Three female North Korean flight attendants walked down to the airport in dark blue uniforms.

Three female North Korean flight attendants walked down to the airport in dark blue uniforms.

On the left chest of each flight attendant wears a red badge with the pictures of the late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong-il.

On the left chest of each flight attendant wears a red badge with the pictures of the late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong-il.

In the plane, the middle aisle is relatively narrow, the luggage compartment is a bit low, and the layout is simple.

In the plane, the middle aisle is relatively narrow, the luggage compartment is a bit low, and the layout is simple.

Chinese leaders and North Korean flight attendants cut a cake to celebrate the opening of the flight between the two cities.

Every week there are 3 two-way flights from Pyongyang to Jinan.

Chinese leaders and North Korean flight attendants cut a cake to celebrate the opening of the flight between the two cities.

Every week there are 3 two-way flights from Pyongyang to Jinan.

The AN-148 aircraft, number JS651, is manufactured by the Ukrainian company Antonov ASTC and has 73 seats.

The AN-148 aircraft, number JS651, is manufactured by the Ukrainian company Antonov ASTC and has 73 seats.

As revealed by Jinan International Airport staff, this flight will gradually be upgraded from the AN-148 aircraft to the TU-204 aircraft (pictured) with 176 seats.

The TU-204 is also North Korea’s most advanced passenger aircraft.

As revealed by Jinan International Airport staff, this flight will gradually be upgraded from the AN-148 aircraft to the TU-204 aircraft (pictured) with 176 seats.

The TU-204 is also North Korea’s most advanced passenger aircraft.

Hai Yen (Photo: QQ)