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.
Maintenance providers have always been forced to adapt when airline fleets and operating models go through a transition phase. The Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Co. (Haeco) is no exception, and is responding to the latest airline evolution by broadening its capabilities and looking for new ways to partner with customers.
Cathay Pacific is halfway through the delivery schedule for its order of 50 Boeing 777-300ERs, and these aircraft are gradually replacing 747-400s on key long-haul routes. The airline has now taken delivery of 26 of the -300ERs, Cathay’s Engineering Director Christopher Gibbs tells Aviation Week. “They have almost completely taken over on North American routes and are starting to take over in Europe,” Gibbs says.
A new bilateral air services deal will triple the number of flights allowed between New Zealand and China, although Air New Zealand says the agreement does not go far enough. Under the pact, each side will be allowed three daily flights between the two countries, up from the current one. China Southern Airlines uses the entire Chinese allowance for Guangzhou-Auckland service, while Air New Zealand flies six times a week to Chinese destinations.
