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 has committed to building a second stretched version of its 787 aircraft -- to be called the 787-10 -- which some airlines have been lobbying for, although timing and configuration details are still being worked out, 787 program head Mike Bair said yesterday. It is "not a matter of if, but when" Boeing begins building the -10s, Bair said. Entry into service could be as early as the last quarter of 2012, a target that "seems to suit the customers we are talking to...and fits nicely into our development program," Bair said.
American last week forecast strong unit revenue growth for the first quarter, largely in line with analyst estimates. The carrier said consolidated unit revenue for the quarter is likely to be up 9.9%-10.9%, with mainline unit revenue growing 9.2%-10.2%. The airline expects to end the quarter with more than $4.5 billion in cash, including about $500 million in restricted cash and short-term investments.
British Airways yesterday promised to make extra payments that will virtually wipe out a deficit of more than GBP1 billion (US$1.7 billion) in its major pension plan, but only if employees accept pension plan changes, such as a higher retirement age.
