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.
Contrary to widespread analysts' expectation, easyJet yesterday reported improved profits and surprisingly good yield performance for Fiscal Year 2004 ended Sept. 30. Backed by the better-than-expected results, easyJet expects load factor and yields to remain constant in the first quarter of FY2005, October-December 2004. "We continue to have limited visibility in regard to future fares; however, we expect the remaining months of winter to be challenging and that competition will be intense," the airline stated.
The Austrian Airlines Group yesterday significantly reduced its profit target for 2004, as overcapacity and high fuel costs continue to hurt Europe's airline industry. Austrian expects to report a EUR10 million (US$13 million) operating profit in the full year, down from EUR50 million forecast. Austrian said the load factor is three points below expectations in the last quarter. The airline therefore will cut capacity by 3% in the European network. Austrian will reduce off-peak services, while not dropping any of its destinations.
Airbus parent EADS is expected to give the manufacturer the green light for the planned A350 before the end of the month, according to French press reports. The A350 is intended to compete directly with Boeing's 7E7, and it is based on the current A330-200. Airbus plans to invest $3.3 billion in the derivative aircraft. -JF
