Singapore Airlines cuts 214 flights

Singapore Airlines cuts 214 flights

Singapore Airlines is cutting 214 flights, reducing capacity from its network due to weak passenger demand, a move that will affect belly space capacity on one of Asia’s biggest cargo carriers.

      The 214 flights represent about 3 percent of Singapore Airlines' flights.

      International news outlets reported the move Friday as Singapore announced its passenger numbers fell 7.5 percent during 2008. Destinations to be cut by March include Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Mumbai, New Delhi, London and Zurich.

      “We don’t want to be flying half-empty planes around the world any longer than we have to, because it increases our cost burden at a time when we can least afford that,' spokesman Stephen Forshaw said. “We want to make sure we match changes in capacity with the changes in demand that are occurring as a result of the economic slowdown.”

      Singapore reported a decline in net profits in November of 36.2 percent.