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.
Qatar Airways yesterday placed a huge order for the Airbus A350XWB, a commitment that has been under negotiation for months. The airline signed a memorandum of understanding covering the purchase of 80 A350XWBs -- 20 more than the original A350 deal planned in 2005. Also yesterday, Colombia's Avianca confirmed it will order 38 Airbus aircraft, with an additional 32 options. The deal includes five firm orders and five options for A330-200s, and 33 orders 27 options for A319s and A320s.
U.S. airlines are already maneuvering to take advantage of a new international aviation agreement that will double the number of flights allowed to China within five years. But while all the airlines that fly--or want to fly--to China will eventually benefit from the deal, most will have to wait until 2009 to increase service in this popular yet highly restricted market.
U.S. airlines are already looking at how they can take advantage of the new U.S. China aviation deal, and are eyeing still-scarce flights that will be available through 2009. The agreement allows a new U.S. carrier to be designated for the China market this year, as well as a single daily flight that will likely go to this new entrant. These rights were previously scheduled to be awarded in 2008 (DAILY, May 24). The next new-entrant opportunity would be in 2009.
