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.
Qantas says strengthening demand should result in a profit for the six months ending Dec. 31, and the carrier has also announced it will be reinstating a large number of previously suspended domestic flights. The airline predicts a profit in the range of A$50 million-$150 million (US$44.1 million-$132.3 million) before taxes for the first half of its 2009/2010 fiscal year. Qantas said operating conditions have improved versus the previous six-month period, with volume and yield rising.
The U.S. Justice Dept. has filed its objections to the proposed American/British Airways transatlantic joint venture. DOJ is highly critical of the proposal, which it says would harm competition and raise prices by up to 15% for some customers on major routes. DOJ recommends that if the U.S. Transportation Dept. grants antitrust immunity, it should either impose slot divestitures at London Heathrow or demand market carveouts.
Passenger numbers on international routes are finally showing a slight year-on-year increase, according to the International Air Transport Association.
