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Singapore Airlines slashes flight capacity, grounds nearly all planes in response to coronavirus
- The airline on Monday announced it would cut its flight capacity by 96 per cent until the end of April and ground 185 of 196 aircraft
- It described the outbreak as ‘the greatest challenge in its existence’ and said it was taking steps to ensure liquidity
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Singapore Airlines says it is facing the “greatest challenge” in its history as it became the latest major carrier to ground all but a handful of planes and flights as the Covid-19 pandemic wreaks havoc with the global travel industry.
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The airline, one of Asia’s largest international carriers, on Monday announced it would cut flight capacity by 96 per cent until the end of April and ground 185 of 196 aircraft, citing the tightening of borders as countries come to grips with the pandemic.
Fresh industry warnings emerged following the move, with Andrew Herdman, outgoing director general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), saying now was the time for government intervention.
“Up until about three days ago the question was should the government intervene,” he said. “Now it is [clear] the government should intervene and act.”
In a statement, Singapore Airlines said it was “unclear” when it would begin to resume normal services “given the uncertainty as to when the stringent border controls will be lifted”.
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