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.
Air New Zealand plans to expand jet service on its domestic network and is adding Boeing 737s to its domestic fleet to achieve this. The airline said it is considering Invercargill, Hamilton, Dunedin and Palmerston North for 737 service, all of which are currently served with turboprops. It will pick at least two of these cities to receive 737 flights for a six-month trial. Air NZ stressed that many provincial centers have been pushing for jet service to draw more business traffic.
Qantas is boosting its Hawaii service due to strong demand on this route, the carrier said this week. The airline’s Sydney-Honolulu flights will be increased from three to four per week, beginning April 5. The Qantas group will then have a total of nine flights between the two cities, with five operated by Jetstar.
Fiji-based Air Pacific is the customer for three anonymous 787-9 orders placed last year, Boeing revealed. The deal follows a 2006 order for five 787s, and Air Pacific also has purchase rights for three more. The combined orders represent the largest transaction ever undertaken by a Fijian company, according to Boeing. The 787s will be powered by General Electric GEnX engines. The 787s will allow expansion within Asia and around the Pacific Rim.
