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.
Fastjet plans to launch domestic services in South Africa at the end of May, and has wet leased a Boeing 737-300 from Johannesburg-based Starcargo Airlines for six months while it gains approval to operate its own Airbus A319s in the country. The African low-cost start-up plans to launch operations between OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airport through a joint venture, Fastjet Holdings, in which it holds a 25% stake. The joint venture’s majority owner is local investment firm Blockbuster.
Austrian Airlines plans to increase its long-haul capacity by adding a fifth Boeing 777-200ER in the second quarter 2014. The airline, which will lease the aircraft for eight years, was granted approval for the transaction yesterday by the board of directors of parent company Lufthansa. Austrian currently operates a fleet of six Boeing 767-300ERs and four 777-200ERs.
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.
