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.
The Board of Airline Representatives in Germany said Fraport’s proposed landing fee increases are threatening the competitiveness of Frankfurt Airport and will lead to lower growth than forecast. Fraport wants to push through a 20% increase in fees from 2012 to 2015. The rise comes on top of a 13% increase proposed to go into effect by the end of 2011, provided all the parties’ agree on the entire package.
Air Berlin’s Chief Maintenance Officer Wolfgang Kurth is leaving the airline, effective immediately. Air Berlin said there were unsurmountable differences of opinion regarding the carrier’s maintenance operations and how they should be integrated into the group. CEO Joachim Hunold will take over Kurth’s position on an interim basis until a successor is found.
Finnair reported a €180 million loss for 2009 on sales of €1.8 billion as it was struck by the effects of the economic crisis. Sales were down 18.5% and fares were 12% lower than a year earlier. Finnair said the reductions were felt particularly in business travel and passengers shifted to cheaper booking classes in large quantities.
