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.
Star Power The Star Alliance plans to focus on joint initiatives to cut costs and increase purchasing power--regional jets, for example--as the group underpinned its market leading position with the addition of US Airways.
BA Sheds Deutsche BA German no-frills carrier Deutsche BA (DBA) is facing tough restructuring measures--and unclear chances of survival--after owner British Airways agreed to sell the company to German investor Hans Rudolf Woehrl.
Ryanair continues to be the most profitable European airline, posting a EUR239.4 million net profit (US$280 million) on sales of 842 million (US$985 million) for its fiscal year ended March 31, although yields are expected to come under increased pressure this year and with it the low-cost carrier's profit margin. The results best the EUR150 million net profit on sales of EUR624 million in 2002, which improved the profit margin to 28% from 24%, but CEO Michael O'Leary warned the targeted and sustainable level would be about 20%.
