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 is keeping 66 aircraft grounded but will add some long-haul flights in the upcoming winter timetable. The airline will reintroduce six times weekly services from Frankfurt to Rio de Janeiro that were suspended two years ago. A Boeing 747-400 will operate the Rio service via Sao Paolo. Also, Lufthansa is adding frequencies from Munich to Shanghai and Tokyo, but will temporarily suspend service to Montreal and Boston. Frequencies from Munich to San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York will be reduced. -JF
Embraer's ERJ-135 is to be certified for operations into London's City airport next week, according to Embraer Executive Vice-President Regional Airline Market Fred Curado. The aircraft can take off with a full passenger load and fly missions up to 600 nm depending on engine rating out of London City. -JF
Swiss International Air Lines' administrative board met yesterday to decide on the airline's alliance strategy, but revealed nothing publicly about the decision. Chairman Pieter Bouw and CEO Andre Dose are expected to meet with reporters today in Zurich to outline what was decided. Observers say board members are split between two main options -- joining the oneworld alliance or accepting Lufthansa's bid for a minority stake.
