Singapore Airlines (SIA) will reduce the numbers of flights to China, India and Australia in response to falling passenger numbers, the Straits Times reported on Friday.

Citing a circular issued to travel agents, the paper said affected destinations included Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Mumbai, New Delhi, Sydney and Brisbane.

The Singapore flag carrier will also cut the number of services to London and Zurich.

Overall, the reductions represent just under 3 percent of the total number of flights operated by SIA, the Straits Times said.

"We do not want to be flying half-empty planes around the world any longer than we have to, because it increases our cost burden at a time when we can least afford to," the paper quoted SIA spokesman Stephen Forshaw as saying.

SIA said on Thursday it filled 65.8 percent of the space available on its planes for passengers and cargo in December, down from 70.7 percent a year ago.