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.
An expected meeting between aviation groups and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood (DAILY, Feb. 2) did not occur today. While a meeting had been requested by some groups, to discuss NextGen and other issues, LaHood could not fit it into his schedule. Aviation groups still hope to meet with LaHood as soon as practicable.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says his top aviation priority is selecting a new FAA administrator. LaHood tells FAA employees he is looking for someone with “good people skills” who can resolve open labor disputes, and good knowledge of NextGen technology. “We’ve interviewed some people, and will interview some more people…We haven’t quite found the person we want,” LaHood says. He won’t set a timetable for the search.
The U.S. aviation industry begins 2009 walking a tightrope over an economic abyss. While capacity cuts are keeping airlines on course for a return to profitability, there are enough danger signs to remind them how swiftly their outlook could deteriorate.
