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 New Zealand government has approved an alliance between Air New Zealand and Virgin Blue, removing the last regulatory obstacle to the carriers’ linkup. The decision, issued by Transport Minister Steven Joyce, follows a similar approval by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on Dec. 16. The carriers are now free to code share on routes between the two nations, as well as collaborate on pricing, scheduling and route planning.
All Nippon Airways and Hawaiian Airlines have announced a new cargo code share, which represents the first fruits of a broader partnership agreement the carriers signed in October. Under the latest deal, ANA will place its code on Hawaiian’s Tokyo Haneda-Honolulu flight, operated with a Boeing 767-300ER. The code share also covers cargo from beyond markets in Asia and the U.S. The arrangement will begin Dec. 22. The two airlines signed a letter of agreement in October, committing to explore passenger and cargo code-sharing and frequent flyer links.
The House and Senate have passed another three-month extension to the FAA’s operating authority, a move that squashes any hopes of a longer extension. This extension will cover the FAA through March 31, and is the 17th short-term measure. The bill has been sent to the White House for presidential signature. The current extension is due to expire on Dec. 31.
