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Southwest Airlines said on Wednesday it will cut dozens of routes as it revamps its schedule to focus on faster growing markets and adapt to the slowing US economy.

Southwest said it will eliminate 57 existing flights, including 10 flights from Oakland, California, eight flights from Chicago, and seven from Baltimore.

The company will then add 40 flights, with 17 flights added from Denver, including five to Los Angeles. The changes take effect from May 10, the company said.

«Southwest Airlines is concerned about slowing economic growth, and we want our flight schedule to be built around flights that are in high demand,» Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines chief executive, said in a statement.

Southwest's growth in Denver will put extra pressure on United Airlines and Frontier Airlines, both of which have hubs there.

Southwest, one of the few US airlines to post consistent profits, has been slowing growth and looking for new sources of revenue as oil prices surge and the softening economy threaten to sap travel demand.

The new schedule comes as many US airlines rein in plans in the domestic market. In December, Southwest said it would reduce its planned capacity growth to between 4 and 5 percent this year -- about half its previous plans.

(Reuters)