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.
Lufthansa plans to pay a dividend to its shareholders in 2004, Chairman and CEO Wolfgang Mayrhuber told investors at the annual shareholders meeting in Cologne. Mayrhuber said he is optimistic about the remainder of the year as business travel begins to pick up. According to Mayrhuber, Lufthansa has achieved more than half of the EUR430 million ($516 million) in savings it planned for 2004. Lufthansa last year lost EUR984 million, mainly due to writedowns for Thomas Cook AG and LSG SkyChefs, and did not pay a dividend.
A German district court in Weilheim is expected next week to release a statement on an alleged insolvency filing by Fairchild Dornier AeroIndustries, a court spokesman said yesterday, and if it happens it would likely spell the end for the briefly revived 728 regional jet program. The court cited speculation in local newspapers that the aircraft manufacturer has already filed for insolvency, but a company spokesperson said, "It's still a rumor, and as a rumor it will remain uncommented."
Lufthansa plans to cut staff costs by up to 40% in some areas, according to a German newspaper report. The airline threatened to close down a call center with 350 employees if public services union Verdi did not agree to wage reductions and productivity improvements. Verdi said it is concerned similar demands could follow for other businesses, particularly ground-handling.
