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.
The U.S. Senate on June 23 finally confirmed Michael Huerta as FAA deputy administrator. Huerta was nominated in December, but his confirmation was held up by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who was pressuring FAA to approve expanded use of UAVs to patrol the U.S.-Mexico border. John Pistole’s nomination for TSA administrator yesterday also cleared Senate committees, and now awaits full Senate vote.
The FAA has awarded $125 million worth of contracts to five aerospace companies in a major environmental initiative aimed at accelerating the development of new aircraft technologies. Under the five-year contracts, the companies will demonstrate concepts that will reduce fuel consumption, emissions and noise. The companies involved are Boeing, General Electric, Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce North America. Each company will receive $25 million, and they are also required to match at least that amount in cash in resources.
U.S. airlines continue to report strengthening growth in the primary demand indicators, particularly on international routes, according to the Air Transport Association. ATA says passenger revenue climbed by 21% year-on-year in May, the fifth consecutive month of growth. International revenue increased 36% and transpacific routes 51%. “These results reflect encouraging signs of the nation’s economic recovery from the very deep hole of a year ago,” said ATA President James May. The ATA data cover seven major carriers and selected affiliates.
