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 U.S. Transportation Dept. has granted American’s request to delay the startup of its proposed Chicago-Beijing flight for one year. The airline was scheduled to start the daily flight in April 2009, but asked DOT if it could postpone the launch until April 2010. Other carriers granted China frequencies have also asked DOT for permission to delay their introduction.
JetBlue is expanding its operation at Fort Lauderdale by adding two daily flights to San Juan, Puerto Rico. The first flight is scheduled to begin Dec. 18 and the second Jan. 6. With these new services, the airline will have 46 flights a day to 15 destinations from Fort Lauderdale this winter. Fort Lauderdale is regarded as a “focus city” by JetBlue. Fellow low-cost carrier Spirit already flies the Fort Lauderdale-San Juan route.
United reports relatively low unit revenue growth in the third quarter, but the airline forecasts that growth will be much stronger in the fourth quarter as planned capacity cuts take effect. Mainline passenger unit revenue will be up by 4%-5% in the third quarter, excluding special items, United said. Passenger unit revenue growth will “accelerate in the fourth quarter….driven by strong yield improvements from previously announced capacity reductions.”
