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.
Aviation Week’s latest Top Performing Airlines (TPA) study shows that an increasing number of carriers are in a healthier financial position as the industry downturn eases. This change in momentum means many contrasting dynamics are evident. Carriers from much-touted developing regions are generally struggling to exit the malaise. Small, niche carriers still have an advantage, but large airlines are starting to perform better. And fortunes are certainly mixed for the newly-merged mega-carriers.
Australian safety regulators have issued a final report on the Qantas Airways Airbus A380 engine failure and emergency landing on Nov. 4, 2010, including more details about the incident and a review of manufacturing failings at engine-maker Rolls-Royce.
Air New Zealand has revealed more details of where it will deploy its Boeing 787-9s, on what will be the first routes for the -9 variant operated by any airline. Initial 787-9 deliveries will be used on long-haul flights from Auckland to Shanghai and Tokyo, and midrange flights to Perth, Papeete, and Honolulu. The first 787-9, which is due for delivery in July, will probably be used on Auckland-Perth flights for a short period, the carrier tells Aviation Week. Then it will likely be switched to a longer route, to either Tokyo or Shanghai.
