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 FAA is about to enter a critical phase in its transition to satellite-based airspace management, with the debut of a system that will for the first time allow controllers to separate traffic at major airports using satellite surveillance.
Former FAA Acting Administrator Robert Sturgell has taken a job at Rockwell Collins, where he will be a senior VP in charge of the company’s Washington operations. He will be responsible for the company’s governmental, legislative and industrial affairs strategies, and for Rockwell’s relationships with lawmakers, staff and administration officials.
Continental yesterday reported a net loss of $136 million for the first quarter, and described a bleak outlook for demand in the second quarter, particularly on transatlantic routes. Chief Operating Officer Jeff Smisek said transatlantic ticket prices are down 35% on average compared to the same time last year, as these routes come under increasing pressure. If this trend remained unchanged, it would translate to a yield decline of about 25% in April, compared to the 20% drop in March. The transatlantic market is “pretty ugly right now,” Smisek said.
