Bloomberg Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. slumped the most in three weeks after Asia’s biggest international carrier said first-half performance was “below expectations” and yields were under “intense pressure.” Shares snapped six days of gains after the Hong Kong-based airline said in a statement to the stock exchange this week that combined passenger load factor for Cathay Pacific and unit …

  Bloomberg South African Airways (SAA) completed a flight using jet fuel made from a tobacco plant, its first contribution to the global push to power more air journeys from renewable resources. SAA used 6,300 liters of bio jet fuel for the one-way trip to Cape Town from Johannesburg, the state-owned carrier said. The initiative was carried out in conjunction …

  New York / AP Losing near-monopoly control over Newark Liberty International Airport is going to cost United Airlines $412 million, or $264 million after taxes. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that it would lift all the restrictions at Newark, essentially opening it to as many flights and airlines that could secure gate space at the airport. The new flight …

  Washington / AP US consumer prices rose modestly in June as the costs of gasoline and rent kept climbing, while sales at American retailers registered a healthy gain. The Labour Department said that consumer prices increased 0.2 percent last month, matching the gain in May. Prices are up 1 percent from a year ago, well below the Federal Reserve’s 2 …

  Washington / AP Congress passed an aviation bill last week that attempts to close gaps in airport security and shorten screening lines, but leaves thornier issues unresolved. The bill also extends the Federal Aviation Administration’s programmes for 14 months at current funding levels. It was approved in the Senate by a vote of 89 to 4. Responding to attacks by …

  Bloomberg Asia’s hunger for travel gave a lift to Airbus Group SE and Boeing Co. during the recently-held Farnborough Air Show. Carriers in China and Vietnam ordered new planes while those in India and Malaysia zeroed in on the manufacturers’ workhorse single-aisle jets. Xiamen Airlines agreed to buy 30 Boeing 737 Max 200s worth $3.39 billion at list prices, …

  Bloomberg The once lowly sweet potato is being reborn as a kind of hip, orange super food. Gone are the days when the only time Americans encountered the tuber was mashed up and topped with marshmallows alongside a Thanksgiving turkey. Today, sweet potatoes turn up everywhere, as healthier, nutrient-dense alternatives to french fries at burger joints or colourful side …

  Jake Newfield / TNS Growing a startup from scratch is like jumping out of an airplane and trying to make a parachute using a thread and needle as you plummet towards the earth. You want to create the first-ever of something but resources are limited and time is running out. To raise your next seed round you need case …

  Our Correspondent EMIRATES BUSINESS Affiliated to UK based The London Sleep Centre on Harley Street; this Dubai division is the only fully integrated Sleep Diagnostic and Treatment facility in the GCC. Located in Dubai Healthcare city, it provides comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services to tackle sleep disorders caused by sleep-related breathing and conditions like Neuro-Psychiatric, medical and dental. It …

  Our Correspondent EMIRATES BUSINESS Swiss luxury watchmaker and aviation chronograph specialist, Breitling has launched the Avenger II Seawolf Blacksteel in the Middle East. Water-resistant to the depth of 3,000m (10,000 ft.), the bold diving watch combines performance and exclusivity in a 1,000-piece limited series, with just 50 models available for the Middle East market. While most Breitling watches are …