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.
VietJet Air’s agreement to purchase 62 Airbus A320-family aircraft is a signal that the Vietnamese low-cost carrier’s (LCC’s) tentative steps into international markets will soon gather momentum. Under a memorandum of understanding signed with Airbus, VietJet intends to order 42 A320NEOs, 14 of the current model A320, and six A321s. The airline also will secure purchase rights for 30 A320-family aircraft. VietJet also intends to obtain eight more Airbus narrowbodies from leasing companies.
While at least three new entrant low-cost carriers (LCCs) are preparing to launch in Thailand, incumbent LCC Thai AirAsia is not standing still, adding aircraft and routes to strengthen its network. Thai AirAsia has had three Airbus A320s delivered this year, bringing its total to 30 A320s. It expects to receive another five by the end of the year, making 2013 the carrier’s biggest year for growth since it was established in 2004, a Thai AirAsia spokeswoman tells Aviation Week. Another eight A320 deliveries are scheduled for 2014.
