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.
U.S. airline revenue and yields were still down significantly in October, but the year-on-year declines shrank compared to those in previous months, according to the Air Transport Association. Passenger revenue fell 15%, based on data for seven major carriers and regional affiliates. This was the 12th consecutive month of decline, although an improvement from the 19% fall in September and 21% in August. Year-on-year comparisons for October partly reflect large declines at the end of last year.
Airlines believe a new liberalization commitment signed by seven countries and the European Commisson could play a major role in untangling the cross-border restrictions that are stifling the industry.
UPS estimates its holiday shipping volume of about 400 million packages — for the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas — will be up slightly compared to 2008. The company’s peak day for air and ground shipments will be Dec. 21, when 22 million packages will be delivered — a 40% increase over normal daily totals. Peak week for the UPS air fleet will be the four days leading up to Christmas Day. The peak air day will be Dec. 23, with six million air package deliveries expected.
