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.
Air Berlin increased its stake in Austrian low-fare airline Fly Niki to 49.9%, the two companies said yesterday. According to Air Berlin CEO Joachim Hunold, the investment was made to strengthen the group’s position in Eastern Europe. Air Berlin, which paid €21 million for the additional shares, has held a 24% stake in Fly Niki since 2004. The two airlines will merge marketing, network planning and aircraft maintenance as part of the new agreement.
Lufthansa is up against what could evolve into the biggest pilot strike in its history. Pilot union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) yesterday confirmed that it has called for a four-day walkout, starting Feb. 22. In a ballot, almost 94% of pilots voted in favor of industrial action. Lufthansa said the plans were “out of proportion.” The conflict is not about money; VC is concerned that Lufthansa will outsource more jobs to new subsidiaries, such as Lufthansa Italia, Eurowings or CityLine, where mainline pay and conditions don’t apply.
Air Berlin is expected to announce today that it is increasing its stake in Austrian low-fare airline Fly Niki. The airline confirmed yesterday that it is in “advanced negotiations” with the carrier, but that the plan is still subject to approval by its board of directors. The board meets today.
