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.
Andrew Compart (Barcelona, Spain), Robert Wall (Barcelona, Spain), Jens Flottau (Barcelona, Spain)
Low-cost carriers are becoming more cautious about slapping passengers with higher or new add-on charges, fearing a backlash from customers and regulators alike. If airlines do so much unbundling that travelers face untenable fees—and therefore believe they cannot fly for the fare the airline advertises—the European Union will start regulating such practices, predicts Daniel Skjeldam, chief commercial officer for Norwegian Air Shuttle.
Jens Flottau (Barcelona, Spain), Robert Wall (Barcelona, Spain), Andrew Compart (Barcelona, Spain)
Even though low-fare airlines are defying predictions that the near-global economic downturn would drive the weakest players out of business, the sector is abandoning time-honored rules generally considered sacred to growing revenues and surviving long-term. Low-cost carriers (LCCs) are exploring adaptations of code-share agreements, interlining, the use of global distribution systems and transfer traffic that were “no-nos” to the disciples of the pure Southwest Airlines business model in the past.
Lufthansa has taken over SAS Group’s 20% stake in BMI amidst indications that it could soon dispose of its British subsidiary. The airline yesterday confirmed it bought the stake that SAS has been trying to sell for years for €41.6 million plus a possible additional payment that is due when certain confidential conditions are met in an onward sale.
