Korean Air extends flight cuts on fuel prices, won

SEOUL, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Korean Air Lines Co (003490.KS), South Korea's top carrier, said on Thursday it would roll previously announced flight cuts into the usually high-demand winter season, citing high fuel prices and the weaker won KRW= currency.

"Reflecting the challenging industry circumstances, Korean Air continues to maintain the reduced number of frequencies on 12 routes...Some routes to Europe will also be merged," the company, the world's No. 1 cargo carrier, said in a statement.

The suspension of the Incheon-Las Vegas route will be maintained during the winter season, which starts late October. It increased flight frequency for six routes where demand is high during the winter vacation season, such as the one to Cebu, the Philippines, the company added.

Airlines worldwide are facing a massive hit to earnings from higher fuel costs and weakening demand for travel.

In the April-June quarter, Korean Air reported its first quarterly operating loss in five years with softer won also weighing on fuel bills and foreign currency debt costs.

By 0419 GMT, Korean Air shares were up 0.87 percent at 40,800 won, outperforming the wider market's 0.64 percent loss. (Reporting by Rhee So-eui; Editing by Keiron Henderson)