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About Luftfahrtmagazin
The Luftfahrtmagazin is an independent, German- and English-language news and information portal covering all in-depth topics in aviation. Our editorial team – consisting of experienced specialist journalists and editors – reports daily on aviation-related, political, and economic news from the extensive world of aviation.
In a world where news travels around the globe in seconds, we pick up where mere reporting leaves off. Our focus is not on short-term spectacle, but on analysis, context, and journalistic background. We provide the substance for everyone who wants to understand how the aviation of tomorrow is taking shape.
Our focus: Economy, Politics & Industry
We view aviation for what it is: a highly complex ecosystem of global economics, hard-nosed geopolitics, and high technological performance. Our focus lies where the decisions are made:
- Airline strategies & market analyses: We analyze fleet planning, network expansions and the economic resilience of business models.
- Collective bargaining and trade unions: We cover the work of organizations such as Vereinigung Cockpit (VC), UFO, and ver.di with journalistic objectivity. We place collective bargaining disputes, the consequences of strikes, and the social conditions in flight operations within the broader economic context.
- Airport policy & regulation: From Brussels EASA regulations to national infrastructure projects – we put political decisions into perspective for practical application.
- Working world & cockpit: We consider personnel developments in the cockpit and cabin as well as operational challenges with the necessary depth and expertise.
- Industry & Technology: We look behind the scenes at manufacturers and suppliers to identify technological trends early on.
Your source for genuine insider insights
The Luftfahrtmagazin is more than just a news ticker. We are the daily read for aviation professionals, insiders, and enthusiasts who value well-informed opinions. Through exclusive interviews and in-depth background reports, we help you achieve this:
- Understanding industry decisions: Why does a CEO act the way they do? What logic lies behind alliances?
- Recognizing developments early: We identify trends in fleet planning and market shifts before they become mainstream.
- Keeping the context: We place your job and your company in the broader context of the global aviation industry.
Journalism with depth
Our aim is to make the complexity of the aviation industry tangible. We offer analysis instead of sensationalist headlines. As a specialist editorial portal, we stand for independent, high-quality journalism that illuminates the economic factors crucial to your success in the industry.
Our team
Christian Lechner – Specialist Journalist & Publisher
The basics and practical experience: A passion for aviation – sound, independent, and firsthand.
My name is Christian Lechner, and flying is far more than just a subject for me – it’s my calling. As a long-time holder of a pilot’s license, I know the fascination and challenges of the industry not only from behind a desk, but also directly from the cockpit.
With 20 years of experience as a specialist journalist, I have closely followed the development of the aviation industry for over two decades. As the publisher of Luftfahrtmagazin, it is my aim to pass this knowledge on to you.
Thomas Zimmermann – Editor-in-Chief
Politics and design: With a clear focus on facts and the future of air transport.
As editor-in-chief of Luftfahrtmagazin, Thomas Zimmermann oversees the magazine’s reporting. With 15 years of experience as a specialist journalist in the aviation industry, he combines in-depth expertise with a strong passion for the topics that will shape the skies of tomorrow.
His focus lies where innovation meets responsibility:
- Aviation design: Aesthetics and functionality in harmony.
- Sustainable innovations: The industry’s path to climate neutrality.
- Air transport policy: In-depth analyses of the regulatory framework.
Thomas Zimmermann stands for fact-based and concise journalism. With his feel for complex relationships, he provides our readers with valuable guidance in a constantly changing industry.
Nils Sörensen – Aviation Technology Journalist
A look beneath the engine cowling: Understanding technology, experiencing innovations.
Nils Sörensen gets to the heart of the complex details of aviation. For 12 years, he has reported on the industry as a specialist journalist and has made a name for himself as an expert in aviation technology and industry analysis.
His passion is for “looking beneath the surface”:
- Aviation technology: He makes complex systems and technical innovations tangible for our readers.
- Industry analyses: In-depth insights into market developments and economic trends.
- Innovation & Trends: Always on the lookout for technologies that make flying more efficient and safer.
Nils Sörensen combines technical understanding with clear language. His goal is not only to show readers of Luftfahrtmagazin what is happening in the sky, but above all to explain the how and why behind it.
Gerhard Stein – Editor for Flight Safety
Flight safety (The anchor for trust): Safety in focus – in-depth analyses.
Gerhard Stein is our expert on what is arguably the most important topic in aviation: safety. With decades of industry experience and a meticulous eye for detail, he illuminates the complex interrelationships that make modern air traffic as safe as it is today.
His department encompasses the crucial pillars of aviation:
- Flight safety analyses: Thorough analysis of incidents and the resulting lessons for the industry.
- Prevention & Technology: Insights into modern security systems and the work of air traffic control services.
- Regulations & Standards: Explanation of international safety guidelines and their implementation in flight operations.
For Gerhard Stein, transparency is paramount. He makes complex safety aspects understandable for our readers and provides valuable background information on the procedures that ensure smooth operations in the skies every day.
Luca Best – Editor for Space & Technology
The bridge to space: Fascination with technology – from the runway to orbit.
Luca Best bridges the gap between traditional aviation and the limitless possibilities of space travel. As a journalist with a keen focus on innovative technologies, he provides in-depth insights into the latest developments in the international space industry.
His focus lies where the future is being written:
- Spaceflight & Exploration: Current missions and technological breakthroughs in space.
- Technology Deep Dives: In-depth analyses of next-generation drive systems and materials.
- Future technologies: The interface between aerospace innovations and terrestrial applications.
Luca Best has a knack for presenting highly complex technical concepts in a clear and understandable way. For the readers of Luftfahrtmagazin, he makes even the most complex innovations in the sky – and beyond – tangible.
Liam Lechner – Head of Trade Fairs & Events
The latest news and trends on site: Right at the pulse of innovation – from the exhibition halls to the editorial office.
Liam Lechner is our expert on the major stages of the aviation industry. As a journalist focusing on national and international air shows, he is present at the events where tomorrow’s trends are first presented to the world.
His focus is on the details that make the difference:
- Trade fair coverage: Exclusive insights from the ILA, Aero Friedrichshafen to global airshows.
- Trend scouting: Identifying innovations before they reach the mass market.
- Networking & Interviews: Direct access to decision-makers and engineers on site.
Liam Lechner perfectly captures the dynamics of the trade fair halls. He provides our readers with precise analyses and exciting background reports on the latest developments in the industry – always with a keen eye for technological breakthroughs.
“Read about current trade fair highlights”
Jan Fischer – Editor for Events & Dates
Right in the thick of it, not just a bystander – your compass for aviation events.
Jan Fischer is our expert for networking within the aviation world. As editor for the events and dates section, he keeps track of the industry’s packed calendar – from major international airshows to regional fly-ins and conferences.
His focus is on the experience and exchange on site:
- Event Previews & Guides: Detailed information on upcoming trade fairs, air shows and conferences.
- Live coverage: Impressions and highlights directly from the most important aviation venues.
- Community events: An open ear for clubs and initiatives to make the diversity of aviation visible.
For Jan Fischer, personal interaction is key. He provides our readers not only with the raw data, but also with background information and tips, ensuring that no important event in the sky or on the ground is missed.
Nikola Hipke – Head of Photography Department
Visual Excellence: The Fascination of Aviation in Pictures – Precision Behind the Lens.
Nikola Hipke is the visual voice of Luftfahrtmagazin. As a photography specialist, she ensures that the stories in our magazine are not only read, but also experienced. With a trained eye for light, technology, and the perfect moment, she brings the dynamism of flying directly to our readers.
Their focus is on combining technical perfection with artistic ambition:
- Air-to-Air & Ground Photography: High-quality shots of aircraft in their natural element.
- Event documentation: Impressive photo series from trade fairs, airshows and exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpses.
- Visual storytelling: Supporting our technical articles with expressive images that capture both technical details and emotions.
For Nikola Hipke, authenticity is paramount. Her photographs provide our readers with the perspectives that make aviation so unique – meticulously detailed, sharp, and always capturing the heart of the action.
As an aviation magazine and pilots’ magazine, we inform aviation enthusiasts as well as private and professional pilots about all important topics related to flying and general aviation.
Our promise: Independent journalism born of passion
What unites us at Luftfahrtmagazin is more than just daily reporting. It’s our deep passion for everything that moves above the ground – from ultralight aircraft to interplanetary space probes.
As an owner-managed specialist publication, we place particular emphasis on journalistic integrity and our editorial independence. We are not beholden to any corporations or associations; our reporting is guided solely by the principles of diligence and objectivity. We look closely, ask critical questions, and report in a well-founded manner. Whether in the cockpit, in the exhibition halls of the world, or at our desks: Our goal is to convey the fascination and complexity of aerospace to you in an understandable and engaging way.
With over 60 years of combined industry experience in our team, we guarantee you insights that go beyond the surface. Thank you for joining us on this journey.
Your team from Luftfahrtmagazin
Christian, Thomas, Nils, Luca & Liam
