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.
Air New Zealand is preparing for the delivery and operational debut of its first Boeing 787-9, the highlight of a pivotal year in the airline’s widebody fleet renewal program. The carrier will be the first to get the stretched -9 version of the 787. Its initial aircraft is on track for delivery in June, and was rolled out of Boeing’s Everett, Wash., paint hangar with a new black livery on April 5. This is the fifth -9 to be assembled, but unlike the first four it will not be used in the flight-test and certification process.
Japan’s major airlines have laid strong foundations for growth as they enter a new fiscal year, but the big question is whether economic conditions will be healthy enough to support their expansion plans.
The highly competitive Hawaii-Australasia market is heating up further, with Qantas subsidiary Jetstar introducing a new widebody route between Brisbane and Honolulu. The Qantas Group is competing with Hawaiian Airlines and its code-share partner Virgin Australia in the Hawaii market. Hawaiian has also been pushing into the New Zealand market, where it vies with Air New Zealand. Jetstar's new Airbus A330 service is scheduled to begin Dec. 14, subject to government approval. It will operate three times a week in peak season, and twice a week off-peak.
