Singapore Airlines will terminate its South American passenger operations from 20 October this year meaning it will no longer offer cargo belly capacity into the Brazilian market. The carrier says its three times weekly Singapore Changi-São Paulo Guarulhos via Barcelona El Prat service has suffered from poor passenger loads in recent months thereby warranting its closure.

Brazil’s economy has been mired in recession resulting in a number of carriers slashing services to the country.  In recent weeks Korean Air announced it would soon withdraw, leaving the only Asian carrier serving Brazil as Air China which operates a twice weekly Beijing-Madrid Barajas-São Paulo service.