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.
Airlines and South African aviation officials are preparing for a spike in operations coinciding with the soccer World Cup June 11-July 11. IATA believes congestion could be a concern at some smaller airports and is running computer simulations to identify any problems. South African officials are also opening new ATC sectors and routes.
Although demand is improving, the International Air Transport Association said the airline industry’s overall financial outlook has deteriorated since its last estimate three months ago. IATA now predicts airlines will collectively lose $5.6 billion in 2010, compared with the $3.8 billion deficit the group projected in its September update. IATA Chief Economist Brian Pearce blamed the worsening outlook on rising fuel prices, and greater concern over airline yields.
A new compromise over access to Tokyo Haneda Airport addresses some U.S. airline concerns, but bureaucratic battles still seem likely next year, when carriers compete for the handful of slots allocated for U.S. flights.
