Aloha Air ontime record stays among the best

Aloha Airlines had the best on-time performance in July of all the airlines reporting to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Aloha had 83.6 percent of its flights arrive on time, according to data posted on the department's Web site today. Southwest Airlines was in a close second place with an 83.5 percent on-time record in July, followed by Continental Airlines at 82.8 percent.

The worst performer in June was Alaska Airlines, with only 70.6 percent of its flights arriving on time. Because of its relatively small size, Aloha is not required to file its on-time records but has been the only airline to do so voluntarily since it started filing late last year.

Aloha has been in first place for seven out of the 10 months it has reported and second in three of them.

Investment bank slump drags down BNP Paribas

Paris >> BNP Paribas SA, France's biggest bank, said second-quarter profit dropped 7.2 percent, less than analysts expected, as demand for mortgages and consumer loans helped limit the effect of an investment banking slump.

Net income fell to 1.16 billion euros ($1.03 billion), or 2.68 euros a share, from 1.25 billion euros, or 2.87 euros, in the year-earlier period. Analysts expected a 16 percent decline.

"BNP is doing a better job than most of its peers in weathering the markets," as the bank cuts costs and boosts growth inside France, said James Sandison, who helps run $880 million as head of European fund management at Edinburgh Fund Managers.

BNP is seeking to boost its U.S. business. The company agreed in May to buy the 55 percent of BancWest Corp., parent of First Hawaiian Bank, it didn't already own for $2.45 billion.

Cruise line parent Carnival cutting some agent fees

Miami >> Carnival Corp., the world's largest cruise line, said it's cutting in half the commission it pays to travel agents for booking air travel to some of its cruises, a move to keep its prices competitive.

Carnival's Carnival, Holland America and Windstar cruise lines are cutting the airplane-ticket commissions to 5 percent from 10 percent of a ticket's cost, said Carnival spokeswoman Jennifer de la Cruz. The 10 percent to 20 percent commission paid to travel agents for booking the cruises wasn't reduced. The three cruise lines represent about 75 percent of Carnival's cruise capacity, she said.

"The move is intended to keep our prices competitive with what the airlines are offering," de la Cruz said.