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.
Qantas says it is not anywhere near ready to firm up its options for Boeing 787-9s, although the carrier has revealed details of a major refurbishment of its Airbus A330 fleet. The carrier holds options and purchase rights for 50 787-9s with delivery slots from 2016 onward, and it is sticking to its assertion that it will not convert them to firm orders until its international operation returns to profitability. The carrier is on track to reach that goal, but it appears that it must be fully achieved before the orders will be made official.
All Nippon Airways (ANA) has reached a deal to purchase 49% of Myanmar’s Asian Wings Airways, the latest step in ANA’s efforts to invest in offshore aviation companies. While AsianWings is tiny — its website lists four aircraft — it is profitable, and ANA believes both the carrier and the Myanmar market have strong growth potential. ANA will pay $25 million for its stake, although the agreement is still subject to approval by Myanmar regulators.
The regulatory battle over a new Jetstar low-cost carrier (LCC) in Hong Kong has begun, with Cathay Pacific signaling that it will use the public comment process to oppose setting up the airline. Jetstar Hong Kong’s application for an air transport license was listed in the local government gazette on Aug. 23, which starts the initial public comment period and gives the carrier a timeline for approval. The LCC is a joint venture between Australia-based Jetstar group, China Eastern Airlines, and Hong Kong’s Shun Tak Holdings.
