The parent company of Japan's All Nippon Airways on Wednesday cited "terrorist incidents" in Europe and earthquakes at home for helping drag its April-June net profit down more than a fifth. ANA Holdings posted net profit of Y6.6b (US$65.8m) for its fiscal first quarter, 20.7% lower than the same period last year, adding that a strong yen also took a bite out of its bottom line. The airline's cargo business struggled in the quarter, while demand for domestic flights were affected by deadly earthquakes in southern Japan in April. "Revenues and profits for the period were affected by (the) Kumamoto earthquake and terrorist incidents in Europe, in addition to exchange rates and crude oil market conditions," ANA said. A sharp rally in the yen is threatening profits at major Japanese firms as it makes them less competitive overseas and shrinks the value of repatriated profits. Demand for flights to Europe have taken a hit following a series of attacks. ANA said its overseas business still saw stronger results owing to an expansion of international routes. The firm left its profit and sales forecasts unchanged for the fiscal year to March 2017. It expects net profit to hit Y80b, operating profit at Y145b and sales of Y1.81t.<br/>
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A former New Jersey power broker and lobbyist for United Airlines was released on $100,000 bail after being charged with illegally helping to arrange a special flight that benefited a top government official. Jamie Fox, 61, appeared before a federal judge in Newark Wednesday, his first court appearance since being charged in a bribery conspiracy that led United to run twice-weekly flights for the convenience of David Samson, the former chairman of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. Samson, 76, pleaded guilty July 14 to bribery for pressuring United to restore a money-losing route between Newark Liberty International Airport and Columbia, South Carolina, near a home he owns. The favour became known as “the chairman’s flight,” and it led United Continental Holdings Inc. to pay $2.25m to avoid prosecution.<br/>
A human rights complaint filed against Air Canada has been resolved with the carrier promising to make its in-flight entertainment systems accessible to visually impaired passengers. Two Ontario residents filed a complaint against Air Canada with the Canadian Human Rights Commission after finding they were unable to use the airline’s touchscreen system to access movies and other diversions during their flights. The complainants contended they were being deprived of a service that was available to other passengers and urged Air Canada to adopt a system with push buttons and other tactile indicators. Air Canada has since announced it’s committing to making all in-flight entertainment systems accessible across its fleet of aircraft. The airline has already made changes to the systems in use on its 787 and 777 aircraft and promises future planes set for delivery in 2017 will be equipped with accessible technology. The passengers who filed the human rights complaint say the settlement has exceeded their expectations.<br/>