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.
In what could be one of its last financial statements before privatization, Aer Lingus yesterday reported a drop in operating profit for 2005 despite strong growth in passenger numbers. Operating profit dropped to EUR72.4 million ($86.3 million) last year, compared to EUR107 million in 2004. Profit before tax increased from EUR1.1 million in 2004 to EUR82.6 million. Revenues were down by nearly EUR24 million to EUR883 million.
Airbus' new Fuel Systems Test Facility at Filton, U.K., was formally opened this week by the Duke of York, although the center has already begun work on fuel systems for new Airbus aircraft programs. The facility, which Airbus says is the first of its kind, designs and tests fuel systems to make them safer and more efficient. Testing is being done on systems for the A400M military airlifter, the A350 and the A380. The center is also studying improvements in fuel system simulation and fuel tank inerting, as well as other emerging technologies.
The U.S. Export-Import Bank said the Cape Town treaty, which became effective yesterday, will aid aircraft financing deals that would not otherwise have been available, and the Ex-Im bank called on other aircraft financing agencies to follow its lead and offer incentives in nations that ratify the Cape Town treaty.
