18 Business Thursday, January 28, 2010 D business@metroherald.ie Business & Finance DOWNDOWN v$v$ DOWNDOWN vv DOWNDOWN ISEQISEQ by 65.47 at 2,951.06$1.41 0.87 Business Bites A JAPANESE computer games company is to create more than 100 jobs in Dublin. Gala said it was expanding its operations in the citys Digital Hub to match the growth of the European online games market. Tnaiste Mary Coughlan said the investment cements the companys presence in Ireland. Digital media is an exciting emerging sector and one for which Ireland is gaining a strong reputation, she said. Gala is currently building a new worldwide gaming brand in an exciting and growing area in the games market. The 103 new staff will be taken on as the company introduces three new game titles and language versions. The expansion was supported by the Government through IDA Ireland. 100 jobs in Dublin with games firm Aviation faces tough time despite end of year boost AIR freight traffic jumped by almost a quarter in December in a positive end to the aviation industrys worst year in its history. But the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said the sector would face a tough 2010 making up for the lost demand in 2009 and han- dling new security demands. The industry starts 2010 with some enormous challenges. The worst is be- hind us, but it is not time to celebrate, its director-general Giovanni Bisigna- ni said in a statement. The slump in demand in 2009 meant airlines face this year adjusting to two- and-a-half lost years of passenger growth and three-and-a-half years of lost freight growth, he said. In terms of demand, 2009 goes into the history books as the worst year the industry has even seen, he added. IATA said air cargo traffic a ba- rometer of the strength of world trade in December was 24.4 per cent higher than a year earlier. Its load fac- tor, an industry measure of capacity utilisation, was 54.1. But this year-on- year strength was exaggerated by an unusually weak December 2008. For 2009, freight demand fell 10.1 per cent in line with the World Trade Organisations forecast for a load factor of 49.1. Passenger demand rose 4.5 per cent in December for a load factor of 77.6, but for the year it fell 3.5 per cent, giv- ing a load factor of 75.6, said IATA. Mr Bisignani said the industry would have to face tougher security require- ments following an attempt to blow up a US plane on December 25. Airlines were spending $5.9billion (4.18bn) a year on security, which were the re- sponsibility of governments, he said. IATA has forecast airlines will lose 3.97billion on a net basis this year after losing 7.8billion in 2009. By Con Doherty 2009 goes into history books as worst year Vernil Fernandez, Kirsty Lisa Marie Tobin and Emily Carruthers, all age 11, with Dr Siobhn Ryan of DIT Kevin Street launch Enterprise Challenge. The year-long programme shows students the advantages of staying in school and builds links for them with third-level education and supportive local businesses funded by the States dormant bank accounts Skeleton staff SETANTA Sports has reached an agreement with Fox Soccer Channel to transfer select programming rights, including many premium soccer and rugby events, which Fox will acquire from March 1. However, Setanta also announced it is to cease broadcasting in the US and the Caribbean on February 28 to concentrate on other markets. The Irish firms UK operation ceased last June when it entered administration following financial difficulties. Setanta wins US sport rights TOYOTA will suspend US sales of eight models that are the subject of a large-scale safety recall, sending its shares tumbling and raising questions about the timing of its earnings recovery. Toyota will also halt production of the models, including the best-selling Camry, at plants in the US and Canada. Shares in the worlds biggest automaker fell 4.3 per cent in Toyko yesterday. Toyota is to recall 2.3million vehicles to fix potentially faulty accelerator pedals and is considering whether it also needs to issue a recall in Europe, where the same parts are used for some models. EVER made a complaint and wished you hadnt bothered? If companies handled complaints better more people would complain. This is according to new research, which found that 40 per cent of consumers who had a positive complaint experience would tell others. The National Consumer Agency survey found unhelpful staff was the lead issue. The agencys Ann Fitzgerald said, One way that businesses can differentiate themselves from competitors is to ensure that staff are properly versed in the principles of good customer service. TRADE at Dublin Port fell by more than ten per cent last year, but levels of imports and exports showed signs of stabilising in the second half of 2009, the Dublin Port Company has said. The fall beat forecasts, with the company expecting a fall of 14 per cent. A difficult year for both the agricultural and construction sectors contributed to a decline in the bulk solid trades of animal feed, ore exports and construction materials. Bulk liquid trade, comprised of motor fuel and aviation spirit, remained relatively stable. Traffic at the port is still four and five times above the levels seen 15 years ago. LOW DEPOSIT ON ALL OFFERS Terms & conditions apply. Subject to availability. Prices per person based on 2 sharing for above duration and board basis May 2010. 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