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.
A decision on the future shareholding structure of Alitalia is approaching, as minority owner Air France-KLM intensifies efforts to cut losses at its own short-haul division. Air France-KLM is understood to be planning a decision as soon as next week on whether or not to increase its shareholding in Alitalia. The group has held a 25% stake in the troubled Italian carrier since 2009. But given Air France-KLM’s ongoing losses, it seems unlikely that the group would invest more in an affiliate carrier.
Lufthansa has placed a large order for Boeing’s 777-9X and Airbus’s A350-900 in an effort to replace some of the older aircraft in its long-haul fleet. The airline’s supervisory board approved the deal during a Sept. 18 meeting, committing to 34 777-9Xs and 25 A350-900s. The first A350s are due for delivery in 2016, while the 777Xs are expected to start joining the Lufthansa fleet in 2020. Lufthansa says it has the flexibility through options and purchase rights to increase the 777X order to 64 units and the A350 commitment to 55 aircraft.
