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.
Air New Zealand is facing a lot of change this year, as it simultaneously undertakes a leadership transition and a sweeping overhaul of its international business. Christopher Luxon (see photo) is central to both these shifts. As general manager of international operations, he has overseen the review of this segment, and he has also been named to take over as CEO when Rob Fyfe steps down at the end of the year.
Virgin Australia has taken care of long-term fleet replacement with an order for 23 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, while also reshuffling its medium-term fleet plans. The new aircraft, which are due to be delivered between 2019 and 2021, are intended to replace the airline’s oldest 737-800s rather than grow the fleet, a Virgin Australia spokeswoman tells Aviation Week.
Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker says his carrier is talking to Qantas about a code-share partnership, although the Australian carrier is refusing to comment on the subject. Al Baker says that further talks between the airlines are scheduled, and that an agreement between the carriers would allow Qatar greater access to Australian domestic markets, and extend Qantas’s reach into Europe.
