Singapore Airlines (SIA) posted a 4.3% drop in passenger traffic in December 2009, after flight frequencies were reduced and unprofitable services were cut.

Capacity, as measured by ASKs, fell 9.2% from a year ago, says the Star Alliance carrier.

As a result, the passenger load factor increased 4.4 percentage points to 84.3%, adds SIA.

The fall in capacity followed a reduction in flight frequencies and the termination of services to Amritsar and Vancouver via Incheon.

SIA also transferred its Hyderabad and Penang operations to its subsidiary SilkAir.

In terms of cargo, total freight tonne kilometers (FTKs) rose 5.7%, while capacity was cut by 7.9%.

"Tighter capacity in the market coupled with stronger demand during the pre-Christmas peak contributed to the improvement in cargo load factors across most regions," says SIA.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news

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