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.
Europe's mainstream airlines are ready to take the offensive against increasingly aggressive low-cost carriers. Possible initiatives include the adoption of correspondingly low fares on highly competitive city-pairs and the elimination of restrictions applied to bargain rates. This reorientation, although it could affect yields, theoretically could generate additional off-peak revenues and boost load factor, according to some marketing executives. In the last few weeks, several European airlines significantly reduced their prices.
The Star Alliance expects to significantly expand its global route system in the next 12 months with the addition of Korea's Asiana Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines and Spanair. Moreover, Star's members will try to retain Air New Zealand in the group despite Qantas Airways' attempt to acquire a stake in the rival carrier. Asiana, LOT and Spanair last week received the Star executive board's approval to become members as soon as they comply with so-called minimum joining requirements.
Canadian regional aircraft-maker Bombardier Aerospace appears to be moving closer to buying Fairchild Dornier's 728 program. On the sidelines of the company's annual meeting last week, Bombardier CEO Robert Brown said, "There is a basis for commercial analysis" of the program. "In the short term, the chances are positive, but there is much work to do and we are far from a decision," he added. Brown also stressed that the commercial analysis was not a due diligence process. A final decision would be made "later this summer," he was quoted as saying.
