North Korea’s state airline Air Koryo will reportedly continue offering a reduced Beijing-Pyongyang service on Thursdays for at least most of February, extending a service reduction beyond its originally planned January period.

With the exception of one flight on Thursday, February 15 – a day ahead of the late-North Korean leader Kim Jong Il’s birthday– the airline will maintain the ongoing suspension of Thursday services between the two cities.

“In winter this is normal but for it to last into February is unusual,” said Simon Cockerell, General Manager at the Beijing-based Koryo Tours.

Air Koryo could not be reached for comment