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.
While Qantas has begun receiving Airbus A330-200s that are being transferred from its Jetstar subsidiary, the mainline operation is not due to take delivery of any new widebody aircraft from manufacturers for the next 2-3 years. Most of the Qantas group’s near-term widebody deliveries are allocated to Jetstar. Deliveries have begun on the low-cost subsidiary’s order for 14 Boeing 787-8s, and as these enter its fleet they will replace A330s, which will be sent to Qantas. These will in turn replace Qantas Boeing 767-300s.
The continuing political unrest in Bangkok appears to be slowing the planned expansion of startup low-cost carrier Thai Lion Air, particularly on international routes.
Australia's new leadership faces some major aviation policy challenges this year. In each case, the government cannot avoid playing a key role—because even inaction or delay would have significant ramifications for the industry. However, the Liberal-National coalition elected in September has signaled that it will attempt to resolve these issues in 2014. Chief among them are the vexed question of a second major airport for Sydney, the elimination of a costly carbon tax and whether to give some form of aid to struggling Qantas.
