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.
Lufthansa was forced to cancel about 500 flights at its regional unit CityLine, as pilot union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) called its members to a 36-hour walkout. The two sides are in a lengthy dispute over pay and scope clauses. They were unable to find a compromise solution after a series of negotiations.
Austria’s ruling coalition yesterday gave the go-ahead for the privatization of Austrian Airlines. State holding ÖIAG is to sell its 42% stake in the airline to make room for a strategic investor, likely Lufthansa; however, the government appears unwilling to hand over full control of the airline. A share of 25% plus one is to remain in Austrian hands, preferably with private investors. But the government also stated that ÖIAG would keep a stake in the airline should interest among private investors be insufficient.
Lufthansa and the Verdi union finally agreed on a pay deal for ground workers and cabin crew that puts an end to an increasingly devastating strike. The two sides announced the surprise deal on Friday morning after nonstop negotiations through the night. Lufthansa will increase wages for ground workers by 5.1% immediately and add another 2.4% in July 2009. The pay contract expires in February 2010.
