On Jan. 2, Air China postponed until late-March the opening of a new route to Pyongyang citing operational reasons.

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

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

Air Koryo is the only airline currently offering flights between Pyongyang and Beijing.

Air China's 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 leave at 5:45 pm on the same days.

Wang said he was confident the route will be profitable for Air China, which recently joined Star Alliance.

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

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