LAX sees drop in foreign flights

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Foreign airlines have joined domestic carriers in scaling back flights at Los Angeles International airport, airline officials said.

A few foreign airlines, such as Emirates Airlines, Vietnam Airlines Corp, and Virgin Blue -- adding a flight to Sydney -- have increased flights this year, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday.

But, a majority of airlines are scaling back. Air India has cut six weekly flights. Thai Airways has eliminated non-stop flights from Los Angeles to Bangkok. Aer Lingus and Malaysia Airlines have trimmed flights. And Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. has reduced fights to Hong Kong from three daily flights to two, the newspaper said.

"We have to maximize our earnings during this difficult period," Cathay Pacific's Chief Executive Officer Tony Tyler told the newspaper.

Domestic airlines have trimmed flights in an era of rising fuel costs.

United Airlines has reduced its overseas offerings from LAX by 31 percent and Delta Air Lines Inc. is eliminating many flights to Mexico and Latin America, the newspaper said.

"There is always a dip in the fall, but this is more than usual," said Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports