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.
The international airline industry finished 2010 on a strong note, with the recent uptick in average fares extending into the fourth quarter, according to the International Air Transport Association. Fare and yield numbers on international routes for October indicate “evidence of continued strength in the revenue environment” in the final quarter of 2010, IATA says. This marked the third consecutive month of the latest surge in yield, and a new 2010 peak for U.S. airline yields.
The major global and U.S. airline groups face a transition in 2011, with the exit of high-profile leaders who have played a key role in shaping aviation policy debates in recent years.
Qantas now has five Airbus A380s back in service as grounded aircraft are cleared and new deliveries arrive, and it expects to have seven flying by the end of January. The carrier is gradually returning its six A380s to service after they were grounded for inspections due to the uncontained failure of a Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine on a Singapore flight on Nov. 4.
