皇冠体育app

By Xie Chuanjiao (皇冠体育app Daily-Agencies)
Updated: 2008-01-03 10:33

Air 皇冠体育app yesterday postponed until late-March the opening of a new route to Pyongyang, capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), citing operational reasons.

"There are no political reasons, and on Air 皇冠体育app's side, preparations are basically complete," Air 皇冠体育app spokesman Wang Yongsheng told 皇冠体育app Daily, without elaborating.

If plans go according to the new timetable, Beijing-based Air 皇冠体育app will become the only foreign carrier to fly to Pyongyang.

Air Koryo, DPRK's national carrier, is the only airline currently offering flights to the capital.

Air 皇冠体育app Boeing 737s will be used for the Pyongyang route, Wang said.

Flights are scheduled to leave Beijing at 2 pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, arriving in Pyongyang at 4:45 pm.

The return flights from Pyongyang will be at 5:45 pm on the same days.

Wang said he was confident the route will be profitable for Air 皇冠体育app, which recently joined the Star Alliance with Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa and United Airlines.

"Flying to Pyongyang is basically a tourist route," Wang said.

"The main customers will be Chinese as well as international tourists.

"Very few Koreans from DPRK come to 皇冠体育app on holiday," he said.