More flights are operating out of Singapore Changi Airport even as the international demand for travel softens.

From Nov 1, Changi Airport saw a record 4,466 weekly scheduled flights, representing an increase of 152 weekly flights, or 3.5 per cent, as compared to the levels recorded at the start of the year.

The number of weekly scheduled flights is expected to exceed 4,700 from Dec 1, an approximate increase of 8.9 per cent over Jan 2008's figure.

Softening of travel demand has caused some airlines to streamline their network at Changi Airport.

However, the reduction in flights has been more than offset by the increase in new flights on intra-Asian sectors such as Bangkok and Hong Kong, and Middle East sectors.

The further liberalisation of the air services agreement between Singapore and Malaysia is a major factor contributing to such an increase.

The full liberalisation of the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route also meant more flights to come.

AirAsia, Jetstar Asia, Silk Air and Tiger Airways are adding a total of 180 new weekly flights on the sector.

While such increases in weekly flights is good news for Singapore's aviation industry, Mr Lim Kim Choon, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), remains cautious about the outlook for 2009.

He said, '2009 will be a very challenging year for the aviation industry as the full impact of the global economic downturn is expected to be felt more acutely.'

'CAAS recognises the tough operating environment of our airline partners and is committed to help our airlines ride out the downturn within our means,' he added.