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.
Prague-based Smart Wings plans to launch low-fare services from Prague to Zurich, Paris, Madrid, Amsterdam and Copenhagen on May 1, the day the Czech Republic joins the European Union. The airline will operate Boeing 737s. Smart Wings owner Travel Service, a private charter company, is in merger negotiations with CSA Czech Airlines. Smart Wings believes it will not take away passengers from established carriers but will open up air travel for people who now travel by bus, train and automobile. -JF
KLM returned to profitability in its fiscal third quarter, ending Dec. 31, 2003, after it managed effectively to cut costs and capacity in the period. The cost cuts were aided by the strong decline of the dollar against the euro. KLM's shares rose 1.5% to EUR15.3 (US$19).
Lufthansa is expanding its long-haul network from Munich, its second hub, with three-times-weekly service to Beijing, beginning March 29. The flights will be operated with Airbus A340-300s. Lufthansa early last year pulled out of the route following the SARS pneumonia outbreak. Beijing is the fifth Asian destination Lufthansa serves from Munich. -JF
