Job cuts could be in the pipeline for Singapore Airlines, which is now overstaffed for current demand, experts said Monday. SIA could also try to cut costs in other areas, or possibly receive additional government support to tide it over the crisis, they added. The airline had last week announced a net loss of $1.12b in the quarter ending June 30 - its worst quarterly showing. It also said it is reviewing the shape and size of its network over the longer term, given the impact of Covid-19 on air travel. Nicholas Wyatt, head of research and analysis in travel and tourism at analytics firm GlobalData, said the recovery of international flights depends on how quickly the pandemic can be brought under control, but "there are few signs that this is happening". But if airlines cut jobs excessively, they will be shorthanded should the market rebound quicker than expected, he added. Other options to manage costs could include renegotiating deals with suppliers or cutting in-flight amenities, said Mr Wyatt.<br/>
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Korea Development Bank (KDB) will normalize operation of Asiana Airlines if Hyundai Development Company (HDC) backs out of its takeover deal with the cash-strapped airline, the state-run lender said Monday. "As a main creditor of Asiana, we are considering a number of options to normalize the business operations of the airline under the scenario that the suggested but pending acquisition proposal between the interested parties comes to nothing," KDB Vice President Choi Dae-hyun said. The message came amid the growing likelihood that HDC would not proceed with the takeover contract with Asiana at a time when the former continues to take what KDB deemed to be "unreasonable steps" to delay the M&A procedure. Late last month, HDC demanded time to carry out an additional 12 weeks of due diligence on Asiana before finalizing the deal, but it did not provide any convincing reasons to back up the demand. Earlier, HDC already ended its due diligence on the airline after seven weeks. "Our top priority is to normalize management of Asiana," Choi said. "If HDC decides to cancel the deal with Asiana, we are going to focus on stabilizing the company and then push for its sale to a third party." He added the bank is leaving open all possibilities ― including selling the firm to a conglomerate or affiliate.<br/>