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.
FAA is putting special oversight emphasis on American due to three landing-related mishaps in an 11-day period last month. The most notable of the incidents concerned a Boeing 737-800 that skidded off a runway in Jamaica on Dec. 22. On two other occasions, a wingtip hit the ground during a landing, an MD-82 in Charlotte on Dec. 13 and an MD-80 in Austin on Dec. 24.
New Zealand’s Auckland Airport is calling for local officials to accelerate plans for a rail link to the nation’s major international gateway. According to a recent planning document, the Auckland Regional Council is planning to complete a rail transit network (RTN) link to the airport in the 2031-2040 timeframe. However, Auckland International Airport Ltd. says either the rail link “or some intermediate option” should be put in place by 2020.
What the U.S. aviation industry needs in 2010 is action from its government — both Congress and the White House — instead of more delays in tackling the big problems. Various industry groups have told Congress that its approach should be “do no harm.” However, it should perhaps be “first, do no harm.” Sure, it’s important that lawmakers do not pile on any additional restrictions or costs, particularly after a tough 2009. But beyond that, there are important areas where decisions are sorely needed.
