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.
FAA yesterday raised its estimate for the number of controllers expected to retire in the next 10 years, and the agency also boosted its hiring target for this year to achieve the net increase of 189 needed to offset a growing surge in retirements.
U.K. carrier First Choice boosted its Boeing 787 order by converting options for four more aircraft, its third order for the type. First Choice now has 12 787s on order, following earlier deals in August 2005 and September 2006. The carrier is now the largest 787 customer in Europe, Boeing said. The latest order was previously attributed to an unidentified customer.
ANA yesterday boosted its Boeing 777 orders by another three aircraft, and at the same time announced the sale of three 747-400s to Hong Kong carrier Oasis. The latest deal brings ANA's total orders for the 777-300ER to 17. The carrier already flies eight -300ERs on international long-haul routes. ANA also has 23 747-400s in its domestic and international fleets. As well as the Oasis sale, the airline last July sold six of its -400s to Iceland's Avion Aircraft Trading.
