North Korea reportedly plans to introduce a new passenger plane from Russia for the first time in 20 years.

Quoting a source familiar with North Korea-Russia economic cooperation, Japan’s NHK said Monday that the new plane has a flying range of seven-thousand kilometers and can accommodate up to two-hundred-ten passengers.

According to the report, the manufacturing of a plane with the words ‘Air Koryo’ imprinted on its side was near completion at a plant in Russia.

The report added that a North Korean official is currently working to acquire the plane early next year.

NHK said Pyongyang apparently decided to introduce a new passenger plane for the first time since the collapse of the former Soviet Union 20 years ago after witnessing a series of problems with outdated aircrafts.

The new plane is likely to be dispatched to an international route which has seen a sharp rise in the number of travelers.

Air Koryo is the North's state-owned national airline that is based in Pyongyang. It operates international services and occasional charter flights to points in Asia, Africa and Europe.