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.
American managed to increase its second-quarter net profit to $317 million -- compared with $291 million last year -- even though the airline's Dallas/Fort Worth hub was struck by the worst run of early summer weather in 80 years. CEO Gerard Arpey noted the carrier had "difficulties with mother nature" during the quarter, and CFO Thomas Horton added the airline is "just praying for better weather" in the third quarter. Thunderstorm-related disruptions cost $50 million in revenue, causing consolidated revenue to fall 1.6% to $5.9 billion.
The U.S. Transportation Dept. faces a logjam of demand for new China flights due to be awarded in 2009, with U.S. airlines filing at least seven applications for four available daily flights. Applications for the latest round of China flight awards closed Monday night with a few surprises, such as Maxjet making a play for one of the 2009 new-entrant flights. DOT is awarding all flights available in 2007-2009 in a single proceeding, prompting a slew of applications.
FAA Administrator Marion Blakey says no new contract talks have been held between the agency and controllers since the House FAA reauthorization bill was introduced last month, which appears to increase the likelihood of the bill's containing a labor provision that could draw a presidential veto.
