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.
Ground services company Swissport International is conducting trials of an aircraft-towing tractor specially developed for the Airbus A380. The tractor, manufactured by Goldhofer, is being tested as part of Swissport's day-to-day operations at Zurich Airport. No carriers plan to fly the A380 to Zurich, but the tractor will eventually be used at London Heathrow, Paris and all other airports where the A380 operates. Swissport expects to handle A380s at its Los Angeles, New York, Singapore and Johannesburg stations.
African carrier TAAG Angola Airlines signed firm orders for six Boeing aircraft that will allow the airline to complete its fleet renewal plan. The TAAG order comprises two 777-200ERs, with an option for one more, and four 737-700s, with two more options for this type. The first of the 777s and the first 737 are scheduled to be delivered in July 2006. The rest will be delivered through next year.
ATA will cut 450 jobs and outsource its reservation call center and more of its heavy maintenance work as it tries to restructure and emerge from bankruptcy protection. The moves will save about $100 million over five years. Management plans to cut 350 maintenance and 100 reservations staff, furloughing some and eliminating others outright. ATA has already cut staff 40% to 4,687 during the past two years.
