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.
Worldwide passenger and cargo traffic contracted by 1% in June from May, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The reduction reflects the effects of slower economic growth, but at least on the passenger side, demand is still growing by 4.4%, compared with last year. Air cargo traffic was down by 3%, however. “For passenger traffic, this is a speed bump in a gradual post recession improvement. But air cargo continues in the doldrums at 6% below the post-recession peak,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s director general and CEO.
Lufthansa confirmed an order for a total of 30 Airbus A320NEO (new engine option) family aircraft. The deal, originally announced in March, includes 25 A320NEOs and five A321NEOs. The airline also selected Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines to power the aircraft. The aircraft will be delivered between 2016 and 2019.
Ryanair will introduce Leipzig as its ninth destination in Germany in November. The airline will start three weekly flights to Rome Ciampino Airport and daily services to London Stansted. The airline recently decided to suspendGerman domestic flights given the new air service tax introduced in January. It is also making massive cuts to its largest base, Frankfurt-Hahn Airport.
