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.
Asiana Airlines last week signed a deal with Airbus for 30 A350s, with a total list value of US$7.2 billion. The carrier said it will take a combination of all three A350 variants, with deliveries expected to begin in 2016. It also placed 10 options. “The A350 will play a key role in the Asiana fleet of the future,” said CEO Park Chan-Bup.
Leasing company AerCap last week became the launch customer for a new Airbus freighter aircraft, after signing a contract to convert 30 of its Airbus A320/A321 passenger aircraft. The conversion deal was signed with Airbus Freighter Conversion GmbH. The aircraft will be known as A320/A321P2Fs. The first of the A320P2Fs is expected to be ready in 2011, and AFC will ramp up to 30 conversions a year after that. About 400 will be converted between 2012 and 2026. The conversions will be done by Irkut Corp.
Pratt & Whitney launched its PurePower engine range, which so far consists of two engines already under development – including a re-branded Geared Turbofan. First to enter service will be the PW1000G, until now referred to simply as the Geared Turbofan. Close behind will be the PW800, aimed at large business jets. Both engines have already been selected to power major aircraft programs.
