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.
Boeing last week completed the first vertical fin for the 787 program, the largest structural part assembled by Boeing in-house. The fin was made and assembled at Boeing's Composite Manufacturing Center in Frederickson, Wash. The company describes the delivery as meeting "a key program milestone" for the 787 program as it moves toward final assembly and a July target for initial roll-out.
Spain will not be insulated from the strong aircraft demand predicted for the wider European region, Boeing predicts. Spanish carriers will need about 410 aircraft worth about $36 billion in the next 20 years, Boeing said last week. "Spain as well as Europe as a whole are very promising markets over the next 20 years," said Drew Magill, director of marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We see the rate of growth for passenger traffic outpacing overall economic growth in the region."
U.S. airlines reported systemwide enplanements of 744.4 million in 2006, up 0.8% from the same period last year. Domestic passenger growth was effectively flat, while international passenger numbers rose 6%. American had the most passengers for the fifth year running, and the most international passengers for the 17th time. Southwest topped the domestic passenger list for the third year in a row. Atlanta was again the busiest U.S. airport, and Miami had the most international passengers.
