The government long-haul aircraft Il-96 of the “Rossiya” special flight unit arrived in North Korea on April 26. It is noteworthy that the liner's journey was significantly shortened.
Judging by the flight route, the crew directed the aircraft to the Korean Peninsula without flying over the territory of Primorsky Krai — the only region of Russia bordering North Korea.
After taking off from Moscow, the Il-96 “turned” right after Lake Baikal, entered Chinese airspace, and landed in Pyongyang. The flight covering a distance of 6134 kilometers took 6 hours and 40 minutes, two hours faster than usual.
The Il-96 is the main “long-haul aircraft” of Russian state aviation. Aircraft of this family are used on extended routes, including to North America, Asia, and Africa.
Il-96 characteristics:
- Maximum speed — 900 km/h
- Cruising speed — 850–870 km/h
- Service ceiling — 13,100 m
- Flight range — up to 9000 km (with maximum payload)
Despite its respectable age, the Il-96 series has not lost its potential for innovation. Aviation expert Roman Gusarov noted that equipping the aircraft with two PD-35 engines will breathe new life into the aircraft, but changes to the aircraft's design are necessary.