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.
American Airlines and US Airways have slammed the U.S. Justice Department’s (DOJ) arguments in their replies to the department’s efforts to block their proposed merger. In responses filed to the U.S. District Court in Washington late Sept. 10, the two carriers systematically refute the allegations made by the DOJ in its lawsuit. They also went a step further by heavily criticizing—at times almost ridiculing—the DOJ’s rationale for opposing the merger.
Two more Hong-Kong based airlines reportedly have filed objections against the establishment of the Jetstar Hong Kong low-cost carrier. Hong Kong Airlines and Hong Kong Express, which are affiliated airlines part-owned by China’s Hainan Airlines, said they will formally oppose Jetstar Hong Kong during the public comment period of Jetstar’s application, according to media reports. Jetstar Hong Kong is a joint venture between Jetstar Group, China Eastern Airlines and local company Shun Tak Holdings.
AirAsia says it will fight fines imposed by Malaysia’s competition regulator over a failed linkup between AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines (MAS), and the low-cost carrier also has urged the regulator to apply the same scrutiny to airports. The Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) issued a proposed decision stating that both airlines infringed competition laws during their short-lived collaboration agreement. The MyCC says it will fine each carrier RM10 million ($3 million). The airlines have 30 days to submit counter-arguments.
