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.
Passenger air travel was up 5.9% in July, according to figures released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Cargo traffic, however, contracted by 0.4%. The increase on the passenger side “was likely based on the much more optimistic economic outlook that marked the beginning of the year,” Director General and CEO Tony Tyler says. “With business and consumer confidence now tanking, sluggishness in international trade, and high fuel prices, the expectation is for a weaker end to the year.”
Jaan Albrecht is leaving the Star Alliance after 10 years to become CEO of Austrian Airlines. The move is still subject to approval by Austrian’s board, which is to meet in September. Albrecht will take up his new role in November.
Aer Lingus has dropped plans to join one of the global alliances because the costs “outweigh the benefits over the short term,” Aer Lingus CEO Christoph Mueller tells Aviation Week. He estimates that the airline would have to spend €30-50 million ($43.4-$72.3 million), not counting the recurring costs, to be able to join Skyteam, Oneworld or Star.
