SIA suspends flights across network, cites weak demand due to Covid-19

SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) said in a Facebook post on Monday evening that it will be suspending numerous flights in its global network in the months of February through May, in response to weak demand caused by the Covid-19 outbreak.

SIA provided a list of affected SIA and SilkAir flights in its Facebook post, and said there will be a decrease of about 7.1 per cent of its scheduled capacity, including selected flights to and from the United States, Europe, North Asia, South-east Asia, South-west Pacific, Africa and West Africa regions. (see amendment note)

Services to the US that will be cancelled include some flights to and from Los Angeles, New York via Frankfurt, San Francisco and Seattle. The European flights to be reduced serve Copenhagen, Paris, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Barcelona, Istanbul and London.

Some flights to South Korean cities Seoul and Busan have also been suspended.

The national carrier said affected customers will be notified and booked on other flights.

SIA shares closed at S$8.48 on Monday before the update, down nine cents or 1.05 per cent.

Amendment note: A previous version of this article stated that flights between Singapore and mainland China were further reduced. They have in fact remained the same as of Feb 24. The article above has been revised to reflect this and to clarify that only selected flights in the affected routes have been cancelled.