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.
Boeing booked 20 new orders during the week ending April 16, mostly Southwest 737 orders but also including a corporate jet version of the 747. Southwest ordered 13 737s, and was also identified as the customer for three 737s that had already been ordered anonymously. SAS ordered a 737, and five new unidentified 737 orders were placed — three as business jets versions. No customer was named for the 747 business jet. Boeing has 338 net orders for the year through April 16, of which 235 are 737s. It also has orders for two 747, 26 777s and 75 787s.
A bid by Delta and Northwest to form the world’s largest airline could soon be eclipsed by another giant merger proposal, but even consolidation of this magnitude may not streamline the U.S. industry enough to snap it out of a downward spiral.
Spurred by an arbitrator’s finding on pilot seniority, US Airways pilots yesterday voted to drop the Air Line Pilots Association in favor of the newly formed US Airline Pilots Association. USAPA vowed a “more businesslike” approach in addressing contract deficiencies. But a group formed to protect the interests of former America West pilots decried the vote claiming the resulting inadequate representation is “a recipe for labor turmoil.” Just under 52% of eligible USAirways pilots voted for USAPA.
