SINGAPORE, Feb 28 — Singapore Airlines (SIA) may be suffering from falling margins but it remains one of the world’s most admired companies, according to Fortune Magazine.

SIA came in 18^th in the magazine’s ranking of the World’s Most Admired Companies, up from 31^st a year ago.

It was the only Singapore company in the top 50 ranking, and the number two ranked carrier on the list after Southwest Airlines of the United States.

SIA earlier this month reported a 65 per cent fall in third quarter net profit from a year ago, hurt by one-off expenses incurred by units SIA Cargo and Tiger Airways.

The Singapore flag carrier’s operating profit rose 15 per cent, but it warned of tough conditions in coming months “with airlines offering aggressive fares amid increasing capacity and fuel prices remaining high by historical standards”. — Today