TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Tigerair Taiwan has cut 100 flights since January in an effort to maintain its seat occupancy rate above 90% and reduce fuel expenses, airline Chair Joyce Huang (黃世惠) said Wednesday.

The cost of fuel will be reflected in floating ticket prices as budget airlines like Tigerair Taiwan do not add fuel surcharges, she said. Taiwan’s other carriers have been increasing the surcharges due to the war in Iran, with the latest hike scheduled for April 7.

The reduction in flights introduced in late January left Tigerair Taiwan with the strongest potentially profitable routes, as 80% of the cuts affected routes to more distant destinations including Hokkaido and Northeast Asia, according to Huang. As a result, the carrier would not need to make further cuts in the number of routes it operated, per CNA.

January’s route cuts also aimed to improve working conditions for staff, including reductions of long flying times for pilots. In addition, the cuts did away with seasonal routes that were only popular during winter but faced low demand during the rest of the year.

Higher fuel prices would be reflected in ticket prices, but promotional programs would also continue, Huang said. There was no preset rate for price increases or reductions, with other factors than fuel prices also playing a role.