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.
Southwest said yesterday it will suspend three workers in connection with aircraft inspection lapses that last week prompted FAA to propose a $10.2 million fine against the airline. The workers are being placed on administrative leave and are “cooperating with the [internal] investigation” into the circumstances surrounding the tardy inspections of Boeing 737s. Previous Southwest responses to the growing controversy had stressed that safety was never compromised.
Frontier saw its yield drop in February, but unit revenue still climbed 5.6% during the month, based on a solid load factor gain. Mainline traffic was up 18.1% on a 7.5% capacity hike, resulting in load factor growing seven points to 77.8%. Yields dropped 3.9%. Subsidiary Lynx reported a load factor of 58.2% for February.
Worsening market conditions have prompted FAA to scale back airline growth predictions for the short term, which has also dampened the 20-year outlook. In its annual aerospace forecast, which this year extends through 2025, FAA estimates Fiscal Year 2008 will see traffic growth of 2.9%. In last year’s forecast, FAA projected FY2008 traffic would be up 4.2%. Near-term projections have been hit by higher-than-expected oil prices and the slowing of the U.S. economy, FAA Policy and Plans Director Nan Shellabarger said.
