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.
While Japan’s two major carriers are both experiencing revenue challenges, the effect on profitability is proving to be much more dramatic for Japan Airlines (JAL) than All Nippon Airways (ANA).
ANA Holdings reported a net profit of ¥57.4 billion ($546 million) for the six months through Sept. 30, up 6.4% from a ¥53.9 billion profit a year earlier.
Few would dispute that Qantas has pulled off one of the most dramatic airline turnarounds in recent history. However, the Australian carrier now faces an arguably greater challenge—translating this revival into long-term financial stability. Breaking out of the boom and bust cycle is the holy grail of the airline industry. Any carrier can slash costs to move out of the red, yet the real trick is ensuring this is not just a temporary reprieve but a means of creating a model that can thrive despite external shocks.
