Trials had been planned for 1-5 September by Cathay Pacific Airways, Delta Air Lines, Korean Air, Northwest Airlines and United Airlines. Selected westbound flights from the USA to Asia were to have been allowed to pass over the oceanic sector of Pyongyang FIR.
The South Korean authorities are insisting that a letter of agreement (LoA) with North Korea is first signed. Seoul is asking for provision for direct-voice communications between its Taegu air- traffic-control centre and Pyongyang. North Korea has said that it is willing to comply with the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which in this case require neither an LoA nor voice communications. With no transfer of radar control involved, a high-speed datalink only is needed between the FIRs.
The issue is further complicated by the fact there has been no direct dialogue between North and South since the end of the Korean war. Any discussions between the two sides until now have been directed through ICAO or the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
ICAO has scheduled further talks in Bangkok for 5-6 and 10-13 September, in an effort to resolve the issue. In addition to delegates from North and South Korea, representatives from Japan and China will be present.
Provided that an agreement can be reached, it is tentatively planned to reschedule the trials for October. IATA and ICAO hope that this will lead to the opening of the Pyongyang FIR to scheduled air traffic by the end of the year (Flight International, 14-20 August).
Source: Flight International
