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.
New forecasts by the FAA add weight to airline claims that they are emerging from the worst downturn the industry has ever seen. The agency predicts that although U.S. passenger demand will begin a slow recovery this year, the severity of the recession has set long-term growth targets back by several years.
A recent uptick in global demand means airline losses in 2010 will be less than expected, and even 2009 losses are being revised downward, according to the International Air Transport Assn. IATA has cut its 2010 net loss estimate to $2.8 billion in its latest industry forecast, down from the $5.6-billion deficit it was predicting in December. Last year’s loss is now expected to be $9.4 billion, versus the earlier estimate of $11 billion.
Some last-minute maneuvering has allowed the FAA reauthorization bill to finally reach the Senate floor, but a battle still looms over controversial labor clauses that are in the House version of the bill. Senate debate continued for a second day yesterday, and is expected to extend into next week. A raft of amendments have been offered, but Senate aviation leaders from both parties have urged their colleagues to limit the number of amendments in the interest of getting the bill passed.
