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 Air Transport Association predicts that U.S. airline passenger numbers will be down about 7% this summer travel season, although load factors will still be relatively high. ATA estimates there will be around 195 million passengers flying between June 1 and Aug. 31, compared to the same period last year. The reduction will be 7% for domestic passengers, and 6% for international. Load factors are expected to be in the mid-80% range – similar to what they were last year.
Continental says it will cut about 500 reservations agents across its system and will also close down its Tampa reservations center. The Tampa closure is scheduled to occur July 19. Continental said it will offer voluntary severance and leave-of-absence programs and will also give Tampa reservations employees the option of transferring to other centers in Houston and Salt Lake City. The company will offer outplacement services and relocation assistance.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports that more than half of boarding passes issued globally now use the IATA standard two-dimensional bar code. The group has set a target of having 2D bar codes on 100% of boarding passes by the end of 2010, and an interim goal of 60% by the end of 2009. The 2009 goal has almost been reached, with 56% usage. Frontier is the first U.S. carrier to reach 100% use of 2D bar-coded boarding passes.
