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.
FAA last week said it will commit $38.8 million toward the reconfiguration of Los Angeles Airport's southside runway complex, which the agency said should help reduce the runway incursion problems that have plagued the airport this year. The reconfiguration will allow the construction of a new parallel taxiway between Runways 7R/25L and 7L/25R. FAA said this taxiway will "prevent aircraft inadvertently crossing Runway 7L/25R when moving to and from the terminal complex," which is "a major factor in the airport's relatively high rate of runway incursions."
Northwest yesterday selected Rolls-Royce to provide engines for the airline's Boeing 787 order, which strengthens Rolls' early lead over General Electric in the 787 engine market. The order is for installed and spare Trent 1000 engines for the 18 787s Northwest has on firm order, as well as for up to 18 it has on option. A long-term maintenance package will also be included in the deal. The Northwest deliveries are scheduled to begin in August 2008. The Trent engine is due to fly for the first time on Rolls' flying test bed in the first quarter of 2007.
Southwest achieved its highest ever monthly load factor of 80.8% in July, an increase of 1.7 points from last year, the carrier said this week. Traffic increased 14.7% in July, on a 12.7% capacity gain. Emplaned passenger numbers were up 11.3% to 8.5 million. For the seven months to the end of July, traffic grew 10.7%, capacity rose 12%, and load factor dropped 0.9 points to 70.8%. -AS
