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.
Air Berlin’s June traffic was down 4.9%, the airline said yesterday. Germany’s second-largest carrier reduced capacity by 2.7% during the month, producing a load factor of 79.1%, down 1.8 points. In the first six months of the year, traffic was down 5.8% for the carrier, with the June figures indicating a slight turn for the better.
The Greek government has to pay a fine of around $2.8 million to the European Commission for not having claimed back illegal government subsidies for Olympic Airlines. This decision was published by the European Court of Justice yesterday. Greece will also have to pay ¤16,000 (US$22,400) daily until it complies with the ruling. The court agrees with the European Commission’s view that ¤194 million should be paid back. The Greek government argues it has already done so.
Michael Mecham (San Francisco), Guy Norris (Le Bourget), Jens Flottau (Le Bourget)
Since it became clear that it was gaining unprecedented orders for the 787, Boeing has acknowledged that it might need a second final assembly line. But it has put off saying much more. Now CEO James McNerney says the company is “actively looking” at such a prospect. Officially, just where it will be located and when it will be opened is unclear. “Eventually, I believe we will do a second line,” McNerney said last week during the Paris air show. “The question is when.”
