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.
Cargo Counts, a new Lufthansa Cargo subsidiary, is close to finalizing deals with five additional carriers for the marketing of their belly cargo capacity. Cargo Counts plans to focus on small- and medium-size airlines and hopes to establish a global network as soon as possible. The company has deals with Thomas Cook Airlines in Germany and Belgium as well as with Spanair and Turkish charter carrier Sun Express. It is understood to be in negotiations with LOT Polish Airlines, Air Dolomiti and BMI British Midland amongst others.
The Russian government is expected to decide on the alliance future of state-owned carrier Aeroflot in March, according to The Moscow Times. Aeroflot management is known to be favoring a tie-up with the SkyTeam alliance. -JF
Prague-based Smart Wings plans to launch low-fare services from Prague to Zurich, Paris, Madrid, Amsterdam and Copenhagen on May 1, the day the Czech Republic joins the European Union. The airline will operate Boeing 737s. Smart Wings owner Travel Service, a private charter company, is in merger negotiations with CSA Czech Airlines. Smart Wings believes it will not take away passengers from established carriers but will open up air travel for people who now travel by bus, train and automobile. -JF
