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 FAA has filled one of its remaining senior management vacancies, hiring Julie Oettinger from United Airlines to head the Office of Aviation Policy, International Affairs and Environment. Oettinger is expected to start June 7. Her areas of responsibility have been newly reunited, after international aviation was split from the policy and environment office during Administrator Marion Blakey’s tenure. Current Administrator Randy Babbitt told staff that he decided to combine the two roles again because he sees domestic and international policy as being closely linked.
JetBlue Airways CEO David Barger says another interline agreement with an international carrier will be announced within weeks, as more carriers express interest in forming links with JetBlue. Barger would not reveal the name of the prospective interline partner, but he did say that it is a Star Alliance carrier. The deal would cover connections at New York Kennedy International Airport. Some industry sources believe the airline in question is Swiss International Air Lines.
African and Middle Eastern airlines saw significant operational and financial disruption from the volcanic ash cloud over Europe last month, although much less than their European peers. Figures released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) show that 30% of African airlines’ capacity was affected by the five-day closure of much of Europe’s airspace. Middle Eastern carriers were forced to ground about 20% of their fleet.
