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.
Fiji-based Air Pacific is the customer for three anonymous 787-9 orders placed last year, Boeing revealed. The deal follows a 2006 order for five 787s, and Air Pacific also has purchase rights for three more. The combined orders represent the largest transaction ever undertaken by a Fijian company, according to Boeing. The 787s will be powered by General Electric GEnX engines. The 787s will allow expansion within Asia and around the Pacific Rim.
As the Air Force decision on a major fuel tanker contract nears, Airbus is stressing that it will only build a final assembly line for commercial aircraft at its Mobile, Ala., facility if its tanker is selected. Airbus yesterday confirmed that it will build an assembly line for A330 Freighters in Mobile if the Northrop Grumman-led team wins the Air Force contract. The tankers and A330s would both be built at a dramatically expanded Mobile facility. However, Airbus said it would not make sense to build the A330s without the tanker deal.
Gulf Air ordered 16 Boeing 787s and took options for eight more, the airline said on the weekend. The carrier said it is contemplating further orders from Boeing and Airbus.
