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 Senate is expected to resume debate on the FAA reauthorization bill either late today or Wednesday. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) would like to complete work on the bill by the end of this week, industry sources say. Senate Commerce Committee members are working through the list of more than 70 amendments, and are expected to offer a manager’s amendment.
British Airways’ flight attendants union is advising its members to reject the carrier’s contract offer and has set dates for strikes this month. The strikes have been tentatively set for March 20-22 and March 27-30, with more planned after April 14 if the dispute has not been resolved. The Unite union will present the BA offer to membership for a vote, and the strike would be called off if members decided to accept it.
The Senate last week finally renewed consideration of comprehensive FAA reauthorization legislation after a series of holds and other non-aviation issues held up consideration for nearly two years and forced a series of short-term extensions of the agency’s funding authority and the aviation excise taxes. The latest extension is set to expire at the end of the month, but Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has made full Senate action on the bill a priority.
