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.
U.S. airlines continue to report strengthening growth in the primary demand indicators, particularly on international routes, according to the Air Transport Association. ATA says passenger revenue climbed by 21% year-on-year in May, the fifth consecutive month of growth. International revenue increased 36% and transpacific routes 51%. “These results reflect encouraging signs of the nation’s economic recovery from the very deep hole of a year ago,” said ATA President James May. The ATA data cover seven major carriers and selected affiliates.
The major airports in New Zealand are against the proposed alliance between Virgin Blue and Air New Zealand, arguing that it will reduce competition on many routes between New Zealand and Australia. In a submission to Australian regulators, NZ Airports, the country’s airport industry association, argues that the carriers' application should be denied. The airlines have filed applications with regulatory authorities in both countries to form a revenue-sharing joint venture for service across the Tasman Sea.
The FAA must do more to include and coordinate the work of other agencies on the NextGen initiative, and also review industry involvement, according to a new government report. The U.S. Transportation Department's Inspector General (IG) conducted a sweeping analysis of the NextGen program at the request of Congress. In general, the IG says, “A number of critical actions are still needed to move NextGen from planning to implementation,” and “not taking timely action on these issues could delay FAA’s plans to transition to NextGen.”
