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. regulators are unlikely to make a pre-Thanksgiving decision regarding the American/British Airways joint-venture application, sources close to the process say. In fact, no decision is expected until mid-December at the earliest. The delay is due to differences between the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Justice regarding the proposed link-up.
Continental CEO Larry Kellner says regulators have a vital role to play in ensuring the long-term health of the U.S. airline industry. During a speech at the Aero Club of Washington yesterday, Kellner commended Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood for launching a new commission to “step back and look and what we can do” to restore stability. To preserve “an important and vibrant industry in this country,” the U.S. “need[s] to make sure there is the regulatory structure and policy [in place] to do that.”
U.S. airline revenue and yields were still down significantly in October, but the year-on-year declines shrank compared to those in previous months, according to the Air Transport Association. Passenger revenue fell 15%, based on data for seven major carriers and regional affiliates. This was the 12th consecutive month of decline, although an improvement from the 19% fall in September and 21% in August. Year-on-year comparisons for October partly reflect large declines at the end of last year.
