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.
First-class may be the most prestigious cabin onboard long-haul aircraft, but market shifts and product upgrades have positioned business-class to become the most important part of the aircraft—not just for airlines, but for seat manufacturers as well.
Etihad Airways has recently focused its acquisition activities on airlines in Europe. It holds stakes in Aer Lingus, Air Berlin, Darwin and Air Serbia and is exploring a major shareholding in Alitalia. But concerns voiced by the European Commission may slow down its progress.
The firm order backlog for the Airbus A350-800 is shrinking further, after Aircraft Purchase Fleet cancelled a commitment for 12 aircraft, according to Airbus’s latest orders and deliveries statistics. Aircraft Purchase Fleet is a vehicle set up for Alitalia aircraft financing and acquisition. But given the shaky financial state of that airline, the order has looked doubtful for some time. Airbus also has been actively encouraging its customers to switch to larger A350 versions.
