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.
Qatar Airways CEO Akbar al Baker is considering an order for Airbus A330s and the conversion of Boeing 787 options to boost long-haul capacity. Al Baker told reporters in Dubai that he may add more A330s to the carrier’s fleet to counter a capacity shortfall caused by the delay in 787 deliveries. Qatar Airways currently has an order for 30 787-8s, five of which have been delivered. According to al Baker, the airline also could convert 30 787 purchase options, although these would be for the stretched 787-9.
Air France-KLM is preparing further cuts to its cargo division to accommodate the current weakness in global airfreight. “We must continue to reduce capacity in this business,” the group’s CFO Philippe Calavia said May 3, during a first quarter earnings call. “We believe there is too much capacity and we are competing with other transport modes.” Calavia believes the weakness of global air freight is partly structural, and Air France-KLM is adapting by focusing more on belly cargo.
