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.
International passenger traffic growth is continuing to accelerate, although the increase in cargo volume is starting to slow, according to the International Air Transport Association. Passenger traffic was up 10.5% year-on-year in September, higher than the 6.5% gain in August. While freight traffic increased by 14.8% in September, this was lower than the 19% rise in August. Seasonally adjusted, passenger traffic was up 2.1% from August to September, and cargo dropped by about the same amount.
The Air Traffic Control Association has named Steve Hansen as its ATC specialist of the year. Hansen is chair of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association’s safety committee. He spearheaded NATCA’s efforts on the Air Traffic Safety Action Program and helped lead NATCA’s collaborative efforts with the FAA on the Partnership for Safety program. Hansen has been a controller for 20 years, and currently works at the Albuquerque, N.M., Center.
Lockheed Martin has won a $49.9-million contract to significantly extend the air traffic management system of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The company will deploy additional Skyline ATM automation systems and maintain the national network through 2025. Lockheed says the new units will give the country its first true ATM system, and one of the most advanced ATM infrastructures in the region.
