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.
Europe's airline industry last year made its first overall profit since 1998, the Association of European Airlines calculated. Preliminary AEA figures show the sector made a small $900 million profit in 2004 and also returned to pre-2001 traffic levels. AEA, which represents legacy carriers, did not include low-fare airlines, such as Ryanair and easyJet, in the calculation; both carriers have been profitable for the past three years.
Lufthansa's apparent decision to dispose of its minority stake in Star Alliance partner British Midland could place a tantalizing merger possibility back on the table. A BMI/Virgin Atlantic hookup would be a stronger competitor to British Airways based at London's Heathrow Airport.
The Austrian Airlines Group plans to cut 100 jobs in administration to save costs, while the airline's profitability continues to be under intense pressure. The cuts represent about 10% of administrative staff. Late last year, Austrian was forced to reduce its profit guidance from EUR50 million to EUR10 million for the year 2004 as high fuel prices and pressure on yields deeply hurt results (DAILY, Nov. 23, 2004). -JF
