SINGAPORE, March 17, 2009 (AFP) - Singapore Airlines (SIA) on Tuesday reported a large drop in passenger numbers and cargo shipments as the worldwide economic slump further hit global aviation.

The airline, seen as a bellwether for the industry, said it carried 1.18 million passengers in February, down 20.2 percent from the same month last year.

The carrier said it filled 69.7 percent of available passenger seats during the month, down 7.1 percentage points from a year earlier.

Cargo volumes slipped 16.9 percent and the airline filled 56.7 percent of available freight space, down 5.5 percentage points from last year.

Europe registered the biggest decline in the passenger and cargo markets for SIA, according to the airline.

"The prevailing global economic crisis has significantly dampened travel demand, translating to weaker uplifts," the airline said.

SIA, one of the world's most respected airlines, said last month it would ground 17 passenger aircraft over the financial year from April 2009 to March 2010 and was not ruling out the possibility of deferring plane orders.

The airline's management has met with the company's labour unions about plans to cushion the impact of the downturn, including asking staff to take voluntary unpaid leave, early retirement and shorter work months.

SIA, majority owned by Singapore sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings, reported a 42.8 percent fall in net profit in the third quarter to December from the year before.

Net profit came in at 337 million Singapore dollars (220 million US), from 590 million dollars, on revenue of 4.16 billion dollars which was down 2.6 percent year on year.