Adrian is Auckland bureau chief for Aviation Week, based in New Zealand. He covers commercial aviation in the Asia-Pacific region.
Adrian was previously based in Aviation Week’s Washington office for nine years, writing for a range of the group’s publications and covering many aspects of the commercial aviation industry. He has won Australasian and international awards for his aviation writing.
Prior to joining Aviation Week in 2002, Adrian covered aviation industry and policy issues for two other publishing companies in Washington. He has also worked for newspapers in Texas and New Zealand, covering a wide range of topics. Adrian graduated from Auckland University with a degree in history and English in 1992.
Japan’s major airlines say that while economic conditions are improving, the weakness of the yen and resulting high fuel costs will continue to dampen their financial results for the fiscal year that began March 31. All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines both recorded healthy net profits for the 2013 fiscal year, but in both cases they were significantly lower than in the previous year. ANA is forecasting a profit increase for the current fiscal year, and JAL anticipates another decline.
Qantas is already completing the first steps in its plan to reduce its workforce by 5,000 positions over the next three years. Although discussions with its other labor groups regarding the plan could take longer to resolve, cuts to management and non-operational support staff are underway. The job reductions are part of a broader initiative announced in February to shave A$2 billion ($1.9 billion) in costs. Of the 5.000 total, 1,500 of the jobs will be support and management positions.
