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. yesterday took a something-for-everyone approach to awarding coveted China frequencies for the next three years, with Delta slated as the first to begin using the new rights by April. Airlines have been deluging DOT with conflicting submissions and arguments for the past three months, but in the end DOT awarded the flights exactly as industry observers expected before the process began (DAILY, May 24). Incumbent airlines got a weekly flight each, and Delta and US Airways were named as new entrants.
The Senate Finance Committee last week followed the lead of its House counterpart by raising general aviation fuel taxes, and electing not to tackle wider FAA financing reform.
House lawmakers yesterday passed the massive FAA reauthorization bill, but as expected they tacked on some controversial amendments that could draw a White House veto. The bill passed by a vote of 267-151, and it must now await Senate action and what will likely be an extensive conference process. The bill raises general aviation fuel taxes, although it does not include the wider funding reform sought by the administration and airlines (DAILY, Sept. 19). It also raises spending -- particularly for airports -- much higher than requested by FAA.
