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 Airbus A318 this week won approval from European regulators to operate steep approaches, allowing the aircraft to fly into London City Airport. The approval for A318s fitted with Pratt & Whitney PW6000 engines was granted by the European Aviation Safety Agency, and Airbus expects certification for A318s powered by the CFM56 engine to follow later this year.
American's pilot union has a new leader after a runoff election this week, and the incoming president is signaling a tougher stance in contract negotiations with the carrier. Allied Pilots Association President-elect Lloyd Hill has faulted the negotiating proposals offered by the union so far, and believes APA members want him to "walk a new path" to ensure pilots get a larger reward for helping turn the airline around financially. Hill reiterated APA's criticism of airline management regarding executive bonuses.
Airbus secured enough firm orders during the first four days of this week to vault past Boeing's total for the year to date, but a leading aerospace analyst predicts Boeing will be back in the lead by winter. Airbus secured another 44 firm orders Thursday, bringing its order tally for the Paris Air Show to 402. Added to the 201 orders Airbus listed through the end of May, this gives the manufacturer a shade more than 600 so far this year. Boeing added 81 orders for the week through June 20, moving its net total to 510.
