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.
Copa Holdings managed second-quarter profits about the same as last year’s, as the airline group has been comparatively successful in passing on higher fuel costs to passengers. The company — the parent of Copa Airlines and Aero Republica — recorded a net profit of $30.4 million in the quarter, compared to $30.9 million a year earlier. Operating profit, however, did drop by nearly $9 million, to $31.2 million.
American, British Airways and Iberia yesterday announced a joint business agreement that could dramatically shake up the transatlantic market, and now the focus turns to U.S. and European regulators who will decide how many of their slots — if any — the carriers will have to give up at London’s Heathrow airport.
FAA is seeking $7.1 million in civil penalties against American for improperly deferring maintenance, as well as other violations. FAA said American in December 2007 used the wrong provisions of its Minimum Equipment List to return two MD-83s to service after pilots reported problems. The aircraft were flown 58 times in violation of FAA rules.
