Russian flagship carrier Aeroflot said it cut two dozen destinations and reduced overall flights in this year's summer schedule by more than 25 percent in comparison to its 1999 summer schedule.

The carrier said in a statement it was flying to 124 destinations in 70 countries, down from 150 destinations in 79 countries last year. Flight frequency was cut to a maximum of 540 a week from 620.

Aeroflot Chief Executive Officer Valery Okulov announced recently that cuts would be made in the summer schedule, effective as of March 26, and said it was part of a new corporate strategy to optimize the airline's resources.

The carrier will boost the number of flights to domestic tourist destinations, including a total of three flights a week to the Black Sea resort of Sochi on an Ilyushin Il-86.

Aeroflot said it also hopes to increase the number of passengers flying business class, particularly to European destinations.

This summer, the airline will carry out more than 70 Boeing 737 flights a week to European destinations.

Flights to Asia and Southeast Asia remain a priority for the airline. Flights to Beijing are made six times a week aboard a Boeing 777, and the possibility of flying to Osaka, Japan, is being discussed.

The carrier added that it had organized its summer schedule to cut the amount of time that passengers traveling between Europe and Southeast Asia spend in airports between flights.

In its summer schedule, Aeroflot will continue to make flights to eight destinations in North America, though Okulov said that as many as six could eventually be cut.