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 France, effective Aug. 10, will increase the fuel surcharge on its long-, medium- and short-haul flights, citing "extremely high oil prices." The airline will charge an extra seven euros (US$8.99) on long-haul flights, add two euros (US$2.57) on medium-haul services and one euro (US$1.28) on short-haul flights. Air France said it plans to reduce the surcharge once oil prices remain below $65 for 30 consecutive days. -JF
EasyJet's shares dropped 2.4% yesterday after the company revealed some key figures for its fiscal third quarter. Revenues were up 34% at GBP460 million (US$876.8 million), and revenues per seat improved 17.3% to GBP45 million (US$85.8 million). But the airline also said that unit costs for the full year are now expected to be slightly higher than previously envisioned.
When things are good, they are bound to get worse; when bad, they're apt to get better. That's the underlying message in some of the latest European airline earnings reports--notably Ryanair, which sees tougher times ahead, and Iberia, which is looking to the second half of 2006 to build on improving operations. But the two also demonstrate how Europe's largest low-fare carrier can continue to deliver profits while--even with impressive growth numbers--for most network carriers in Europe, that remains out of reach.
