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.
Boeing will launch the stretched -300 version of the Boeing 717 if Star Alliance carriers include the plane in their joint acquisition campaign. Star members Air Canada, Austrian, Lufthansa and SAS Scandinavian Airlines could buy 100 aircraft, which program General Manager Jim Philipps told an industry conference in Dublin would be enough for launch. Philipps cautions it would be "difficult" if the Star carriers split their order between two or more airframers, but adds even with fewer than 100 aircraft the launch would be possible.
Lufthansa Cargo will phase out all of its aging Boeing 747-200s and replace the aircraft with used MD-11 trijets, beginning in 2005. The airline opted against buying new aircraft and is cutting its fleet by three jets; Lufthansa plans to rely on wet-leases if demand outstrips capacity.
The boards of Air France and KLM are expected to meet today to discuss a possible tie-up that would form Europe's largest airline (DAILY, Sept. 16), while Alitalia considers its options as the prospect of an alliance with Air France diminishes.
