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.
Korean Air has plenty of aircraft on order to support its ambitious growth plans—but filling them will be a challenge. The airline knows that simply bringing more passengers to Seoul will not be enough. Instead, it is aiming to transform its hub into one of the top connecting points for transpacific traffic flows.
While Seoul’s Incheon International has a large role in Korean Air’s plans, the airport is relying on Korean—as well as mainline rival Asiana and new low-cost carriers—to achieve its own aggressive growth targets.
The Airbus A380, along with the Boeing 777 and 787, is a key part of Korean Air’s plans for renewal and expansion of its passenger fleet. The airline remains firmly committed to its 10 A380 orders, despite the industry downturn that is causing other Asia-Pacific carriers to defer or cancel their own orders for the superjumbo.
