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's board this week approved a new share repurchase plan, which will see the company buy back up to $3 billion in common stock. "We are enhancing shareholder value with a balanced use of our cash flow...Our record backlog, strong operating performance and solid balance sheet allow us to invest in growth programs like the 787 while also pursuing a significant share-repurchase program," said Boeing CEO Jim McNerney.
Air New Zealand is looking at international network growth to boost revenue and help reverse a sharp drop in annual profits, but the airline also has not finished cutting unprofitable long-haul destinations, CEO Rob Fyfe says. Air NZ will add at least one new long-haul route every year, Fyfe said during the carrier's annual earnings presentation last week. "This airline must grow...[Air NZ] is undertaking a detailed evaluation of potential new routes," said Fyfe.
Airbus completed the first flight of its fifth A380 at Toulouse Friday, with the debut of the Engine Alliance GP7200 engine the most notable feature of the flight. The other four A380s already being flown all use the Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine. So far, six A380 customers have selected the GP7200 for 82 aircraft orders, out of a total of 16 customers and 159 orders. The fifth A380 -- known as MSN9 -- will be the last to enter the development program, Airbus said.
