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.
Air France-KLM revenues were up 6.4% in the second quarter, the company said this week. The group's average yield rose 1.7%, excluding currency effects. But because of the weak U.S. dollar, actual yields improved only 0.3%. Air France-KLM Cargo yields gained 1.3%. Air France sales rose 5.6% to EUR3.36 billion (US$4.35 billion), while KLM grew faster at 8.4% to EUR1.78 billion (US$2.30 billion). Europe's largest airline group will report detailed financial figures on Nov. 24. -JF
Alitalia, at a Dec. 15 meeting, will ask its shareholders to approve of a EUR1.2 billion capital increase that, if approved and accomplished, would reduce the Italian government's stake below 50% for the first time (DAILY, Nov. 4). The capital increase is part of the airline's industrial plan for 2005-2008. The airline posted a EUR29 million (US$37.6 million) pretax loss in the third quarter, up from EUR47 million a year earlier. Its revenues declined from EUR1.17 billion to EUR1.13 billion (US$1.5 billion).
Swiss posted its first quarterly profit for the period ended Sept. 30 since its reorganization three years ago. The newly set-up Swiss airline managed to squeeze out a CHF20 million (US$17 million) operating profit and a CHF16 million (US$13.6 million) net profit despite soaring fuel prices and an incomplete cost-cutting program. CEO Christoph Franz nevertheless stressed that more cost cuts and revenue enhancement are needed to turn the company around.
