Air rage incidents on the rise
A global airline trade group says the number of incidents of unruly passengers on planes is increasing, and it’s calling for more effective deterrents. The International Air Transport Association said Wednesday it received reports of 10,854 air rage incidents from airlines worldwide last year, up from 9,316 incidents in 2014. That equates to one incident for every 1,205 flights, an increase from one incident per 1,282 flights the previous year.
Ford recalls Focus hatchbacks
Ford is recalling about 74,000 Focus hatchback cars with manual transmissions in the U.S. and Canada because the hatches can be unlatched too easily while the cars are moving. The recall covers certain Focus hatchback and RS vehicles from the 2013 through 2017 model years. Ford says it doesn’t know of any accidents or injuries caused by the problem.
Vancouver deals with rental crisis
Vancouver is proposing a new business-licence system for short-term rentals through websites like Airbnb to deal with “dangerously” low vacancy rates. Mayor Gregor Robertson says the new regulations would allow short-term rentals in principal residences that are either owned or rented, but would make daily or weekly rentals illegal in homes that aren’t principal residences or are structures like boats or trailers. He says the aim is to get at least 1,000 housing units back on the market.
Commercial sites attract foreigners
Wealthy foreign investors are likely to shift their money to the commercial side of Vancouver’s real estate market to avoid a housing tax, just as deals for office, retail and industrial properties reach an all-time high, brokerage Re/Max Holdings Inc. said. Commercial real estate transactions in the city climbed to $7.14 billion in the first half of 2016.
DHX Media raises dividend
DHX Media Ltd. raised its dividend Wednesday as it reported a loss in its latest quarter. The Halifax-based children’s entertainment company says it will now pay a quarterly dividend of 1.8 cents per share, up from 1.6 cents per share. The loss for the quarter amounted to $1.7 million or a penny per diluted share compared with a profit of $3.7 million (three cents) a year earlier. Revenue improved to $75.3 million from $71.2 million.
Takata sells interiors unit
Troubled airbag maker Takata Corp. of Japan is selling its automotive interior trim and seating material operation, raising cash as its inflator recall costs continue to mount. The Japanese company is selling Irvin Automotive Products to Piston Group, an auto parts supplier. The sale price wasn’t disclosed, but Piston Group said Irvin has annual sales of US$500 million.