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.
There's no end in sight. European network airlines are now several years into aggressive cost-cutting efforts, but recognize they cannot afford to ease up if they want to ensure their long-term survival as they battle low-fare carriers, competition from high-speed rail and high fuel costs.
Swiss International Air Lines and its future owner Lufthansa are being challenged by Swiss pilots about the reduction and repositioning of the fleet, which has a direct effect on crews via route reallocation and anticipated layoffs.
Central European low-fare airline Wizz Air last week launched two new routes -- four weekly flights each from Poznan to London and from Budapest to Sofia, Bulgaria. Wizz Air is the first low-fare airline to serve Bulgaria. The airline said forward bookings indicate an 80% load factor in the first three months. -JF
