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.
Slovak low-fare airline Sky Europe is opening a fourth base in Kosice, Slovakia. The airline will base one of its 15 Boeing 737s there and add a route to Manchester to five routes already operated from the airport. Bratislava-based Sky Europe has been struggling financially for some time and recently cut capacity at Vienna airport, one of its other three bases. In Vienna, Austrian Airlines is aggressively fighting the carrier on prices, much like local low-fare rival FlyNiki
Pilots at three Lufthansa affiliates went on a surprise strike yesterday, forcing the group to cancel 66 flights. The two hour walk-out affected services at Lufthansa’s fully owned regional CityLine, 49% owned Eurowings and its low-fare affiliate Germanwings. CityLine pilots demanded a “double digit” wage hike while Eurowings and Germanwings crews won’t disclose figures. However, they want to be integrated into the collective bargaining agreement hoping for better career chances and the option to switch to mainline aircraft.
Turkish Airlines (THY) is looking for more leased aircraft capacity short-term, and hopes to make major fleet acquisition decisions before the end of the year. The airline is looking at placing a follow-on order for narrowbodies to continue its expansion strategy on short- and medium-haul routes. The airline is also studying how to grow and renew its widebody fleet.
