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.
American and its pilots union are preparing for their first sessions with a National Mediation Board facilitator next week, and they plan to start off with less-controversial administrative clauses.
Finnair last week ordered three more Embraer 190s, bringing its firm orders for E-Jets to 23. First delivery of these 190s is due in 2010. Finnair currently operates 10 Embraer 170s and six 190s. A seventh 190 was handed over to Finnair last week. The 190s are configured for 100 seats in two classes.
Continental saw its load factor slip slightly in February — mainly due to its international operation — although the carrier managed to keep unit revenues growing strongly. Both consolidated and mainline loads were down about a point to 76% for the month, with international seeing the largest decrease of 1.9 points to 71.3%. Domestic mainline load factor was about flat.
