Hong Kong Airlines (HX, Hong Kong International) aims to pull back capacity by 7% until the end of 2019 and cut the number of available fares for sale by 9%, as it responds to a decline demand that has accentuated its financial problems, the South China Morning Post has reported.

The move is an attempt to limit losses after thousands of customers have cancelled travel to Hong Kong International, the HNA Group and Hainan Airlines subsidiary said, following what has now been 15 consecutive weekends of demonstrations. Around 40% fewer people visited the territory in August, the Hong Kong government revealed last week.

Hong Kong Airlines reported a 13% year-on-year fall in travel for August. As previously reported, the carrier warned staff three weeks ago that they may be asked to take unpaid leave or cut their working hours. But it has stressed that there is “no plan” for job cuts.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and make further adjustments if required, including internal arrangements to support our operation in the coming months,” a company spokeswoman said.

Around 50 Hong Kong Airlines flights depart Hong Kong International each day, out of a total of 450. A source told the South China Morning Post that cancellations that are currently being implemented on an ad hoc basis may be a sign of which routes will be trimmed in future schedules. Examples of recent cancellations have been flights to Sapporo Chitose, Hanoi Noi Bai International, Malé, and Seoul Incheon.

Debt problems at the carrier became public late last year, and management was crippled by months of boardroom turmoil earlier this year. Meanwhile, the airline is still awaiting much-needed investment from its shareholders, the newspaper said.