United Nations aviation authorities will visit North Korea next week to discuss Pyongyang's request to open air routes to South Korea.

The Montreal-based International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is quoted as  saying the request, made in February, is under “consideration."

North Korea's international air routes have been sharply reduced amid continued sanctions by the UN Security Council. 

The North's state-owned carrier Air Koryo flies mainly to cities in Russia and China, two countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Pyongyang.

A possible new air route would connect Pyongyang with South Korea's main international airport at Incheon.   

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