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 Star Alliance is devising a scheme to admit smaller airlines as full members and will soon add destinations in Europe, while rival group Oneworld is extending its reach in Eastern Europe and Russia. Star announced May 26 that it invited Greece’s Aegean Airlines to become a member, and the carrier is expected to be ready to join in 2010. In addition, last month LOT Polish Airlines approached Lufthansa, a founding member of Star, about a possible takeover when LOT is privatized next year.
Private Afghan carrier Safi Airways plans to become the country’s primary international airline, taking advantage of the increased political focus on Afghanistan and the travel demand of Afghans abroad. The airline aims to expand its network soon to include more European and Asian destinations following the start of thrice-weekly services from Kabul to Frankfurt June 15. Safi is considering Amsterdam, London or Paris as a next step and plans to renew and enlarge its aging fleet. It is also looking into Moscow and New Delhi as potential destinations.
Air Berlin posted an €87 million operating loss for the first quarter of 2009, beating the expectations of most analysts. The loss was 27% larger than in the first quarter of last year, but CEO Joachim Hunold pointed out in a conference call that the result was still as budgeted. Passenger numbers were down by 6.5%, but in spite of this, revenues increased by 1.5%, reflecting higher yields. Air Berlin stuck to its target of posting a full-year profit in 2009.
