SIA staring at first-half loss

SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines (SIA) may incur a loss in the first half to September due to a sharp decline in its passenger traffic as a result of the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Standard & Poor's Equity Research said in a research note. 

“Despite being blessed with able managers, an excellent brand name and a strong balance sheet, SIA is unable to escape the three-pronged attack of a weak global economy, hostilities in the Middle East and the SARS virus,” S&P Equity Research said in its initial coverage of SIA.