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.
Croatia Airlines and Adria Airways will join the Star Alliance as new regional members on Dec. 15. Adria Airways CEO Branko Lucovnik and Croatia Airlines CEO Ivan Misetic yesterday signed the joining agreements at a Star Alliance event in Frankfurt. The two airlines will be the second and third regional members after Finnish SAS subsidiary Blue 1, which joined last week. Both carriers have strong links with Star's biggest European member, Lufthansa, and code share on several routes with the carrier.
The first German air traffic controller strike in decades may happen soon, as German ATC provider Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS) and the controllers' union GDF were close to breaking off talks over a new wage agreement yesterday. GDF said it will pull out of talks if DFS does not agree to its demands by midnight. The two sides were in disagreement over performance incentives, among other issues. -JF
Finnair almost doubled its operating profit in the third quarter, backed by a substantial increase in demand. Operating profit totaled EUR10.1 million (US$13.1 million) on EUR422.8 million (US$549 million) in revenues, which rose 10%. In the first nine months, demand was up 31.2% as the airline expanded its Asian network and reinforced its efforts to compete against low-fare airlines in Europe. Yield declined 11% systemwide and unit costs 10%. The airline spent EUR55 million (US$72 million) more on fuel than last year.
