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.
Delays are becoming more frequent again in European air traffic after four years of improved performance, the Association of European Airlines (AEA) said this week. AEA figures show that 19.5% of all flights in 2004 arrived more than 15 minutes late, up from 19.1% in 2003. Performance was better in the second and fourth quarters, but worse than in the previous year and the first and third quarters. In 1999, the worst year for delays on record, European airlines incurred delays for 30.4% of all flights.
Ryanair yesterday ordered another 70 Boeing 737-800s, a move that underscores growth perspectives for the European low-fare airline industry. The order is valued at more than $4 billion. In addition to the 70 aircraft on firm order, Ryanair secured options for another 70. Combined with a previous 2003 order, the airline's firm commitment is for 125 aircraft plus 195 options. According to CEO Michael O'Leary, Ryanair will fly 96 737-800s by the end of the year.
Boston Consulting thinks many legacy European airlines will fade in the next decade as low-fare carriers reshape the competitive landscape. Premal Desai, Boston Consulting's European airlines analyst, believes that "in 10 years you will not see decentralized legacy carrier traffic in Europe any more." Desai told delegates of the Hamburg Aviation Conference that "this is becoming simply uneconomic."
