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.
Jaan Albrecht is leaving the Star Alliance after 10 years to become CEO of Austrian Airlines. The move is still subject to approval by Austrian’s board, which is to meet in September. Albrecht will take up his new role in November.
Aer Lingus has dropped plans to join one of the global alliances because the costs “outweigh the benefits over the short term,” Aer Lingus CEO Christoph Mueller tells Aviation Week. He estimates that the airline would have to spend €30-50 million ($43.4-$72.3 million), not counting the recurring costs, to be able to join Skyteam, Oneworld or Star.
Lufthansa CEO Christoph Franz points out that the airline is shifting its overall company strategy, albeit in a subtle way. In his view, the airline has been perceived as a company focused on the needs of business travelers. “But the future growth will strongly be linked to private travel,” he told journalists at an event in Frankfurt. Franz pointed out that this will be reflected in fare levels, as well as in how the network evolves.
