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.
Premium traffic on international routes rose 4.3% in 2006 -- helped by a spike at the end of the year -- although premium growth still failed to match the rapid rise in economy traffic. The International Air Transport Association calculates premium traffic was up 5.6% in November and 5.9% in December, higher than the full-year average and the strongest premium growth rate in seven months. IATA calls it an encouraging sign, since growth usually shifts to leisure traffic during the holidays.
The International Association of Machinists yesterday filed a lawsuit against US Airways in an effort to force the airline to arbitration over a wage grievance stemming from the merger with America West. The two parties were scheduled to meet with an arbitrator yesterday and today, but US Airways instead filed a complaint in bankruptcy court attempting to block the union grievance. In its lawsuit, IAM challenges the airline's use of the bankruptcy court.
Boeing yesterday revealed that Brazilian carrier TAM is the buyer for four 777-300ERs that last week were attributed to an unidentified customer. TAM first announced its intention to order these aircraft in October, and has now added four further options. It will be the first Latin American carrier to operate the -300ER. TAM said the planes will allow the airline more capacity and flexibility on long-haul international routes. The carrier is using three MD-11s on transatlantic flights until the 777s are delivered.
