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.
FedEx is threatening to cancel Boeing 777 Freighter orders if certain controversial labor clauses are included in FAA reauthorization legislation. In January, the carrier exercised an option to purchase an additional 15 777Fs, to supplement 15 it already had on order. At the same time, it obtained a new option for 15 more. It is the recently added 15 orders and 15 options that are in danger.
Leasing giant ILFC warns that it needs additional financing either from parent AIG or outside sources to remain viable, although the company is confident it can secure enough help to meet its obligations at least through March 2010.
House Transportation and Infrastructure Chair James Oberstar (D-Minn.) says he is prepared to wait for a short time before bringing the FAA reauthorization bill for a full House vote, to see if the amounts in the bill align with the White House proposal. But he says he will not wait until June, as the House calendar gets very congested around that time. He stresses he will not include any user-fee language in the House version of the bill, even if the White House does so in its proposal.
