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.
A bid by Delta and Northwest to form the world’s largest airline could soon be eclipsed by another giant merger proposal, but even consolidation of this magnitude may not streamline the U.S. industry enough to snap it out of a downward spiral.
Spurred by an arbitrator’s finding on pilot seniority, US Airways pilots yesterday voted to drop the Air Line Pilots Association in favor of the newly formed US Airline Pilots Association. USAPA vowed a “more businesslike” approach in addressing contract deficiencies. But a group formed to protect the interests of former America West pilots decried the vote claiming the resulting inadequate representation is “a recipe for labor turmoil.” Just under 52% of eligible USAirways pilots voted for USAPA.
Continental yesterday joined other U.S. major carriers in fulfilling promises to slash capacity if the economy didn’t improve, and the carrier hinted it may take further steps to shore up its position through a merger.
