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.
British Airways acknowledged it achieved "mixed results" in the December quarter, with a dip in profits caused partly by a series of operational headaches. Pre-tax profit dropped to GBP113 million (US$22 million), down GBP53 million (US$104 million) from the comparable 2005 period. Operating profit declined by GBP47 million (US$92 million) to GBP129 million (US$254 million). Revenue inched upward -- gaining 0.5% to GBP 2.1 billion (US$4.1 billion) -- but this was overshadowed by a 3% increase in costs.
Continental last week reported a unit revenue increase of 2%-3% for January, which analysts translate as revenue growth of nearly 10% for the month. January mainline unit revenue grew by 3.5%-4.5%, the airline said. JP Morgan's Jamie Baker described these results as "nicely ahead" of expectations. Yield growth of 3.4% was also higher than predicted, he said. Baker forecasts a first-quarter consolidated unit revenue increase of 1.3%.
American last week reached a deal with Expedia that will see the web site resume listing the airline's international and premium fares. Last month, American decided to withdraw international and premium fares from Expedia, although the site continued to sell domestic coach tickets. At the time, the airline portrayed the move as a cost-cutting measure (DAILY, Jan. 16).
