Singapore Airlines to phase out Airbus fleet before schedule

Airline Industry Information, April 23, 2003

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Singapore Airlines has announced plans to retire its Airbus fleet earlier than it had previously said.

The fleet of 12 Airbus aircraft will now be phased out by June 2003 due to the impact that the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has had on passenger figures. Singapore Airlines will replace its existing Airbus aircraft with Boeing's 777 model as well as the long-range A340-500 from Airbus.

Singapore Airlines has already cut 20% of its flight capacity due to the war in Iraq and the SARS virus.

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