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.
German Federal President Horst Koehler yesterday stopped the privatization of air traffic control provider DFS by refusing to sign a parliamentary bill that would have approved the selloff planned later this year. Koehler stated that the plan was unconstitutional, but he pointed out that parliament was free to make the necessary changes to the constitution. Members of both coalition parties CDU and SPD said they were willing to make the amendments and they have also gained support for the plans by the largest opposition party, FDP.
Austrian Airlines Group returned to profitability in the third quarter, posting an even higher net profit for the period than most analysts expected. The airline's net income was EUR34.9 million (US$43.8 million), compared with a EUR21.5 million net loss a year earlier. The company attributed the turnaround mainly to higher passenger volumes and much-improved average yields. New CEO Alfred Oetsch said that Austrian will not post a profit for fiscal 2006 but aims to return to black figures in 2007.
Ryanair will cut jobs at Aer Lingus, if its bid to takeover the carrier succeeds (DAILY, Oct. 6). The low-fare carrier said in its offer document it plans to reduce catering, ground-handling and sales staff to finance fare reductions. It also wants to improve productivity of flight crew and mechanics but remained unspecific about the number of jobs to be cut.
