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.
Operating results of European legacy carriers smaller than the big three--British Airways, Air France-KLM and Lufthansa--are coming under increasing pressure, as fuel hedging contracts are beginning to expire and record fuel prices are taking a toll. Several European carriers this month reported severe declines in their operating results and cited high fuel costs as the main reason. Traffic, by contrast, continued to be strong, as many European economies experience more significant growth rates than in the past few years.
Air Berlin confirmed yesterday it is preparing an initial public offering to fund its rapid growth. The airline, alleged to be considering the step for months, ended speculation at the International Tourism Exchange in Berlin. CEO Joachim Hunold did not offer much information about the planned listing, saying the airline's current owners plan to retain their stakes in part, but he declined to reveal anything more on the timing and size of the placement.
Yemenia-Yemen Airways signed a preliminary agreement with Airbus for an order of six Airbus A350-800s, the two companies said yesterday. Once completed, the order will also include options for another four aircraft. Yemenia plans to take delivery of the A350s from 2012 onwards and wants to use them on its existing long-haul network to Africa, Europe and Asia, as well as for more services to Africa.
