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.
Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and AirAsia have formally protested the hefty fines proposed by Malaysian authorities over alleged violations of the country’s competition law, and at least one carrier also has asked for a hearing so it can argue its case.
Lion Air’s new Thailand-based joint venture carrier has achieved an important regulatory milestone, and it is already starting to build its fleet in anticipation of full approval. Thai Lion Air has been granted its air operator’s license (AOL) by Thailand’s transportation minister, a Lion Air spokesman tells Aviation Week. The carrier is now waiting to receive its air operator’s certificate (AOC), which requires a more technical review by civil aviation authorities. Lion Air hopes to launch the Thai airline by the end of the year.
Qantas expects to face significant yield pressure due to an influx of capacity in the Australian domestic market, but the carrier is upbeat about the progress of its Jetstar subsidiary and its international transformation. Due to weak demand and competitive pressure, Qantas group yields are forecast to be down 2-3 percentage points in the six months through June 30, which is the first half of the carrier’s 2014 fiscal year.
