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.
While nothing has been scheduled, a Senate confirmation hearing for FAA Administrator-nominee Randy Babbitt is expected before the end of May, industry observers say. Some sources believe a hearing within the next few weeks is likely, and FAA Chief Operating Officer Hank Krakowski tells agency employees that confirmation will probably occur in “mid-to-late May” — meaning Babbitt could be in his new office by early June. In the meantime, Babbitt is visiting various members of the House and Senate.
American is temporarily suspending about a dozen daily flights to Mexico, following similar moves by some of its mainline competitors as the swine flu scare hits travel demand (DAILY, May 5).
FAA needs to do more to ensure that controller staffing — and trainee levels — do not become a problem at crucial ATC facilities in California, according to a new report from the Transportation Dept. watchdog.
