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.
Airbus confirmed yesterday that an undisclosed customer for its A350 program is TAP Portugal, which plans to buy 10 A350s and seven A330-200s. TAP's A350 deliveries will begin in 2013, and the A330-200s will be delivered from 2007. Both aircraft will have a two-class layout. Airbus said the TAP order brings the A350 sales total to 143 aircraft from 10 customers. An Airbus spokeswoman confirmed that Airbus is still targeting at least 200 A350 orders by yearend.
Northwest yesterday told travel agents it will make another attempt to raise fares by passing on to passengers the cost of airport charges. The airline said it has been absorbing passenger facility charges (PFCs) to remain competitive with carriers that use connecting hubs where the fees are not charged. The fare increase will be between $1.50 and $4.50, and if it sticks, will add between $60 million and $100 million in annual revenue. Absorbing the PFCs cost Northwest $80 million in 2004.
European airlines next year will see the first fruits of a plan designed to improve traffic flow and keep en route delay growth in check, Eurocontrol says. Eurocontrol has been working on the Dynamic Management of the European ATM Network (DMEAN) program since 2004, and in 2006 and 2007 it will introduce some of the new initiatives developed in the program, said Eurocontrol Director-ATM Programs George Paulson. The remainder of the DMEAN initiatives will be rolled out by 2009.
