Singapore Airlines to cut flights as coronavirus outbreak hits demand

Singapore Airlines on Tuesday said that it will temporarily cut flights across its global network, including Mumbai, in three months to May as dely coronavirus outbreak has impacted flight demand to city-state. Key affected destinations include Mumbai, Frankfurt, Jakarta, London, Los Angeles, Paris, Seoul, Sydney and Tokyo, airline said in a statement.

coronavirus epidemic has hit demand for services to Singapore as well as through key transit hub. outbreak began in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei province, in December and has w spre across globe. Singapore's tally of 77 cases of virus is one of highest outside mainland China, where 1,868 people have been killed in epidemic as 98 more people died on Monday while total number of confirmed cases jumped to 72,436.

"Singapore Airlines and SilkAir will temporarily reduce services across our network due to weak demand as a result of COVID-19 outbreak," carrier said. "We will continue to monitor situation and make furr justments as necessary." airline ded that affected customers will be "tified and re-accommodated onto or flights.

"It's t a surprise to see some cuts in flights, given weak forward bookings that can be expected from current environment," Channel News Asia reported quoting DBS analyst Paul Yong. Demand on flights to South Korea and Japan h been hit hardest after China.

A number of global airlines, including Air India, British Airways, Lion Air and Indigo airline have also suspended ir flights to Chinese cities as Beijing struggled to contain rapid spre of coronavirus within country. 

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