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 oneworld alliance plans to add Indian carrier Kingfisher to its ranks, with the airline expected to become a full member sometime next year. A memorandum of understanding has been signed by Kingfisher as its first step to joining oneworld. A more specific target date for the carrier’s membership will be confirmed once Kingfisher has gained approval from India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation, according to the alliance.
Karlin Toner is set to become the new director of the FAA’s Joint Planning and Development Office, which coordinates the NextGen initiative. Toner is already Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s senior adviser on NextGen and the JPDO, and she is expected to retain this role. House aviation subcommittee Chairman Jerry Costello (D-Ill.) says he is pleased with Toner’s appointment, but he reiterates his concerns that the director does not have “the level of authority and access needed to be effective.”
Malaysia Airlines managed to boost both its fourth-quarter and annual net profits, helped by a strong resurgence in traffic. The group posted a gain of RM610 million (US$179.3 million), up from a RM46 million profit in the same period a year earlier. The full-year 2009 profit was RM490 million, more than double the 2008 profit.
