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.
The Star Alliance is looking to add more regional partners in Africa, after South African Airways last weekend became the largest African carrier to join a global alliance.
Brazil's main international airline, Varig, is facing an imminent cash shortage that could lead to the grounding of more aircraft or even the entire fleet. Varig last week asked the Brazilian government for financial support, either through additional loans or a temporary waiver on payments due the state-owned airport authority and fuel supplier. Brazil's airport company Infraero gave the airline until late last week to resume payments for ground-handling services and landing fees.
Swiss International Air Lines is moving ahead in its ongoing financial turnaround, hoping this month's admittance to the Star Alliance will boost revenues. Swiss officially joined the biggest airline alliance last week alongside South African Airways (SAA). After the airline posted the fourth consecutive annual loss since its inception, Swiss CEO Christoph Franz pledged it will break even in 2006 and achieve its first-ever profit next year. In 2005, the carrier reduced operating losses to 14 million Swiss francs ($11 million) from 122 million Swiss francs.
