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.
Airlines in the Persian Gulf area plan to boost their fleets and networks in the coming years, as governments in the region try to drive economic and tourism development. Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad Airways are spending billions for new aircraft, while the oldest airline in the region, Gulf Air, appears to be on the road to profitability through massive growth next year. Two new airlines have appeared in the Gulf region since late 2003, Etihad (see p. 36) and low-fare carrier Air Arabia.
The Austrian Airlines Group reported improved financial results in the first half of 2004 but remained in the red for the period. The airline recorded a EUR27.5 million net loss (US$34 million) in the first six months, down from EUR28.6 million a year earlier. However, passenger revenues were up 12% at EUR982.4 million (US$1.2 billion), while costs increased only 8.3%. Through aggressive cost-cutting, Austrian managed to reduce unit costs 6.4%. Also, the load factor was up 5.3 percentage points at 71.2%.
Virgin Atlantic Airways plans to double its size in the next five years, backed by an order for up to 26 Airbus A340-600s worth $5.5 billion, its largest order ever. The aircraft, half of which are on firm order, will be delivered from 2006 to 2008 and are planned to be used for growth at London Heathrow and Gatwick airports, as well as Manchester.
