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.
EasyJet's shares dropped by almost 8% on May 8 after the airline said its load factor deteriorated in April. Passenger numbers were up 10%, but the load factor dropped from 86.4% to 83.1%. "We continue to see pressure on yields in the summer against the high comparatives from last year and due to continued competition," CEO Andrew Harrison said. According to Harrison, April yields fell from the same period last year. EasyJet on May 9 will publish its results for the six months ended March. -JF
European regional low-fare airline FlyBE yesterday placed an order for 15 more Bombardier Q400s. The order comes on top of 45 Q400s previously ordered and leaves the airline with a fleet of 60 Q400s. FlyBE also secured options for another 15 of the type. The aircraft will be delivered in the next two years and will replace Embraer ERJ-145s that FlyBE inherited as part of the takeover of BA Connect. FlyBE has invested more than $2 billion in its fleet over the past two years. -JF
Emirates yesterday placed an order for four more Airbus A380s and reaffirmed its previous commitment as a launch customer. The deal takes Emirates' total order for A380s to 47 aircraft. The agreement is a welcome boost of confidence for the program that has slipped by two years.
