Singapore Airlines to cut fuel surcharges

February 03, 2009 11:07:05 PM

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Singapore Airlines (SIA) said Tuesday it will further reduce fuel surcharges.

The cuts range from about five percent to 21 percent, the airline said, announcing its third round of fuel surcharge reductions since September.

Beginning Wednesday, the economy class fuel surcharge will range from 22 US dollars on a flight between Singapore and Southeast Asia, to 170 dollars on a flight to North America, SIA said.

New York crude futures traded above 40 dollars on Tuesday, down sharply from September prices when Singapore Airlines began reducing the surcharge after prices slumped from record highs above 147 dollars reached in July.

SIA's regional wing, SilkAir, said it will also lower fuel charges beginning Wednesday.

Airlines are trying to cope with falling passenger and cargo numbers during the most severe global economic crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s.