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.
While FAA reauthorization will bring welcome funding stability, it will also place a tremendous burden on the agency in the form of a raft of new regulatory requirements, according to FAA Chief Counsel David Grizzle. The reauthorization bills being considered by the House and Senate would mandate the creation of several new rules as well as up to 14 studies and 30 reports, Grizzle said at the Phoenix International Aviation Symposium on April 30.
Southwest Airlines has heard that three separate parties are interested in resurrecting their bids for the privatization of Chicago Midway Airport, says Bob Montgomery, the airline’s VP-properties. Vancouver Airport Services, which was part of the previous preferred bidder group, confirms it still sees Midway as an attractive investment opportunity. The City of Chicago is working to resume the privatization process after its first effort collapsed during the recession last year.
Air New Zealand and Virgin Blue expect regulators to take about six months to review their alliance proposal, announced by the carriers on May 3. The alliance would cover flights between Australia and New Zealand, as well as connecting domestic flights in both countries. Air New Zealand has long complained of overcapacity in this market, but could not win approval for its previous attempts to form a trans-Tasman alliance with Qantas.
