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 is emerging as a significant threat to Lufthansa after acquiring leisure carrier LTU International Airways and entering a broad alliance with Thomas Cook subsidiary Condor. As part of the move, Air Berlin is one of the first low-fare carriers to enter the long-haul market because LTU operates 11 Airbus A330s mainly on transatlantic and Asian routes.
Lufthansa Technik does not expect broadband Internet to be available on Lufthansa aircraft before the end of the year, Chief Technology Officer Bernhard Conrad said. Lufthansa has a request for proposals out to potential suppliers and expects answers by the end of April. The list is made up of several possible providers, including Panasonic. When broadband Internet access can be reinstated "depends on how much of the existing system can be used."
Virgin Atlantic Airways said it continues to be interested in buying fellow British carrier BMI in light of last week's approval of the European Union/U.S. open-skies deal. "In the light of open skies, in a few years' time there may be more consolidation," a spokesman said in an interview. Buying BMI "still makes sense as a strategic fit," he said. "We are only a long-haul carrier, and it may make sense for us to expand by being a short-haul carrier as well."
