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.
Lufthansa posted strong passenger growth during the first six months of the year, propelled by high demand on the carrier's long-haul network. Demand rose 16.8% in the half year, while the airline added 14% in capacity. The trend was reinforced in June, when revenue passenger miles were up 18.8% from last year's level and the airline boosted capacity 19.6%.
South African Airways' (SAA) future is in doubt after Chief Executive Officer Andre Viljoen, in a surprise move, resigned early last week. The action left most observers pondering whether he was forced to step down or did so voluntarily and what might have led to that decision. SAA merely stated that Viljoen will leave the airline by September and be replaced by his deputy, Oyama Mabandla, who joined the airline only eight months ago from the banking community. He was named acting CEO.
Germany's busy leisure and low-fare airline market seems headed toward rapid consolidation after two of the country's major airline players announced their intention to join forces this winter.
