United Airlines' profit plunged 69 per cent in the first three months of the year, and that was before the terrible publicity surrounding the dragging of a bloodied passenger off a plane. The cost of fuel, labor and maintenance all rose sharply in the first quarter, helping push United's profit down to US$96 million ($136.9m), despite higher revenue. United expects the revenue-per-mile figure to rise by 1 to 3 per cent in the second quarter. The Chicago-based company's shares rose $1.70, or 2.5 per cent, to close at $70.77. Related Content How economics 101 could have prevented United's PR nightmare United Airlines recruiting for a public relations manager Video Watch: Screaming man dragged off United Airlines flightExcluding non-repeating items, United said first-quarter profit was 41 cents per share.

Source: New Zealand Herald April 17, 2017 23:15 UTC