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.
US Airways may be looking beyond the Airbus A340 for an aircraft to fly its Philadelphia-Beijing route, scheduled for launch in 2009. The airline had been watching the tighter-than-expected A340 market for aircraft it could use on the route until it starts taking delivery of its A350s. However, US Airways is “a lot less interested” in the A340s with fuel prices continuing to climb, says President Scott Kirby. He said US Airways has “no comment yet” on what other aircraft it will use until the A350s arrive.
US Airways is joining other major carriers in making more fleet cuts to adjust to higher oil prices, although a senior airline executive stresses that relatively strong liquidity will help US Airways weather an economic slowdown.
The ATC union that was almost destroyed during the Reagan Administration has reached a tentative contract deal on behalf of controllers working at four contract towers. The Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) achieved an agreement with Midwest ATC Service for controllers at Gary, Ind.; Oxford, Conn.; Trenton, N.J.; and Waukesha, Wis. The deal is still subject to ratification by employees at the respective facilities.
