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 Berlin and Austrian startup Niki will form the first alliance between European low-fare airlines, and the German carrier will buy 24% of Niki. Air Berlin will take over marketing and sales distribution, using its sophisticated in-house software. Niki is expected to feed Air Berlin's hub in Palma de Mallorca, as well as expand services from Vienna to Eastern Europe. Niki and Air Berlin flights can be booked on both airlines' web sites.
British Airways recorded a 4.8% increase in passenger traffic in December. British Airways also increased its capacity 2.3%, resulting in a 1.7-percentage-point improvement in passenger load factor to 73.3%. In the fourth quarter, traffic rose 5.3% and capacity 2.9%. -JF
Ryanair surpassed easyJet to again become Europe's biggest low-fare airline in 2003. In mid-2002, easyJet took the top spot after its takeover of Go Fly, but since then has grown more slowly than its rival. Last year, Ryanair carried 21.4 million passengers, compared with 21.1 million flying easyJet. EasyJet traffic increased 16% in December 2003. The airline carried 1.67 million passengers in the month, and load factor improved by three points to 80%. The airline expects to grow by about 20% in 2004, compared with Ryanair's 50%.
