He started his journalism career in 1992 as a freelance writer for Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Germany’s largest daily national newspaper and soon specialised in air transport. Jens joined Aviation Week and Aviation Daily in 2000 as one of the European correspondents. Later his role was expanded to cover international air transport. In 2013 he was named Managing Editor Commercial.
Jens frequently appears on radio and TV to comment on industry matters. In 2003, he received the Hugo Junkers Award of the German aviation press for his coverage of Fairchild Dornier’s bankruptcy. He was named the country’s top travel and air transport writer by the Travel Industry Club three times. Jens graduated from the Munich School of Journalism.
Disposing of a large number of aircraft may not appear to be a sign of health, but for the aircraft leasing sector such moves could indeed signal the end of a two-year crisis that threatened the core of the industry. As the lease sector, which is critical to aircraft makers such as Airbus and Boeing, emerges from the economic downturn, concerns over contraction that hung over the industry for months have faded. Although the balance of power among some of the competitors has shifted, the dominant players remain largely unchanged.
Germany’s air transport industry is entangled in an increasingly bitter dispute over the proposed €1-billion ($1.3-billion) air travel tax the federal government plans to introduce in 2011, while legal experts claim the levy may not even comply with European law.
Alitalia and its new local rival Lufthansa Italia are both struggling to reach financial viability, but they have plans in place to grow as the Italian economy recovers. Alitalia is making gains, slowly. Its main performance metrics show improvement, but it is still suffering deep losses.Industry sources say management may be forced to ask shareholders for another cash infusion to finance the carrier’s ongoing operations until it returns to profitability, but CEO Rocco Sabelli denies this.
