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.
Swiss has taken over operations between Zurich and Santiago with five weekly frequencies formerly flown by Lufthansa. The airline will operate the route with Airbus A340-300 aircraft configured for eight in first class, 48 flat-bed seats in business and 172 seats in economy. Flights continue on from Santiago either Zurich or Frankfurt as gateways to Europe. -JF
The Star Alliance is looking to add more regional partners in Africa, after South African Airways last weekend became the largest African carrier to join a global alliance.
Brazil's main international airline, Varig, is facing an imminent cash shortage that could lead to the grounding of more aircraft or even the entire fleet. Varig last week asked the Brazilian government for financial support, either through additional loans or a temporary waiver on payments due the state-owned airport authority and fuel supplier. Brazil's airport company Infraero gave the airline until late last week to resume payments for ground-handling services and landing fees.
