Belgium's Brussels Airlines announced plans on Wednesday to slow down fractionally its flights in an effort to cut fuel costs and reduce emissions of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming.

The carrier's flights will be lengthened "by one single minute, or a maximum of two," spokesman Geert Sciot said, "and the result will be a 1.1-million euro (1.76-million dollar) saving on our fuel bill."

He said that Brussels Airlines was also taking steps to reduce the weight of its aircraft, which would also ease consumption of aviation gas.

"We are doing everything we can to cut down on weight. We are in the middle of changing the seats, which will translate into 50 kilogrammes (110 pounds) less per plane," he said.

But he underlined that baggage weight limits would not be affected.

With oil prices hitting record highs -- spiking to near 120 dollars per barrel in New York Tuesday -- some companies have looked to shift their rising fuel bill onto ticket prices.

Sciot said that Brussels Airlines had no plans yet to follow suit, but that the carrier is "following the situation day by day".