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.
Three more major air traffic management organizations are joining Nav Canada in buying stakes in Aireon, a satellite-based surveillance system which could extend ATM coverage over oceanic airspace. Aireon recently announced it has reached investment agreements with the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), Denmark’s Naviair and Italy’s ENAV. Not only are they buying stakes in Aireon, they will also be customers for the new service.
The 2014 outlook for Australia’s airline industry will be shaped by actions Qantas takes in its latest campaign to boost its flagging financial performance. The airline has indicated some significant changes are being considered, including structural changes. The government’s response to the carrier’s plight will also be important, with Qantas pushing for regulatory relief that could raise foreign investment caps.
The potential for satellite-based surveillance to transform air traffic management has been recognized for years. Now the countries leading the way with this technology are preparing to show how its promise can be realized in some of the most important airspace on the planet. Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) systems are being installed and used all over the world. It seems it is no longer a question of if, but when, it will replace radar as the main source of surveillance for ATM purposes.
