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.
Austrian Airlines Group returned to profitability in the third quarter, posting an even higher net profit for the period than most analysts expected. The airline's net income was EUR34.9 million (US$43.8 million), compared with a EUR21.5 million net loss a year earlier. The company attributed the turnaround mainly to higher passenger volumes and much-improved average yields. New CEO Alfred Oetsch said that Austrian will not post a profit for fiscal 2006 but aims to return to black figures in 2007.
Ryanair will cut jobs at Aer Lingus, if its bid to takeover the carrier succeeds (DAILY, Oct. 6). The low-fare carrier said in its offer document it plans to reduce catering, ground-handling and sales staff to finance fare reductions. It also wants to improve productivity of flight crew and mechanics but remained unspecific about the number of jobs to be cut.
The delays in Airbus A380 deliveries are forcing airlines to continue operating higher fuel-burn aircraft and carry the cost of unused infrastructure. Some are even still scrambling to fill capacity demands. The freighter conversion business is also falling victim to the A380 postponement. Companies that have taken slots at cargo conversion facilities now are struggling to find the airplanes to be modified since a number of 747-400 passenger aircraft are being forced into prolonged service life, industry officials say.
