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.
German air travel was severely disrupted yesterday as public services union Verdi called for strikes at practically all major airports (DAILY, March 5). Lufthansa was forced to cancel more than 300 flights, as baggage handlers and security staff walked off the job. The airline recommended travelers to use trains on domestic routes. Disruptions were expected to continue throughout the day. Verdi is demanding an 8% wage increase for its members.
Air travel could be severely disrupted in Germany today, as public services union Verdi has called for strikes at airports. Verdi members are expected to stage work stoppages at the country’s two biggest airports in Frankfurt and Munich, among others. Early indications are that significant delays and cancellations have to be expected, particularly in the morning.
German air traffic control provider DFS no longer believes it can be privatized before 2010. DFS CEO Dieter Kaden said at a news conference yesterday that the step may no longer be possible ahead of Germany’s general elections in 2009. Privatization of DFS should have been completed this year at the latest, but was deferred because of constitutional concerns — Federal President Horst Köhler refused to sign the privatization bill, demanding the constitution would have to be changed to allow private firms to take over state tasks.
