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.
South African domestic carrier Comair Limited is slowly returning its Boeing 737 fleet to regular service, after a total of 11 aircraft were temporarily grounded over the weekend. The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) decision came after it was determined that the aircraft had been flying with spindles that should have been replaced in August 2012. The airline is understood to have modified six of the 11 aircraft in question.
Cost-conscious Norwegian is looking at opening a U.S. crew base either in New York or in Fort Lauderdale, the airline’s CEO Bjoern Kjos says. Norwegian plans to go ahead with the idea once it has taken delivery of its third Boeing 787 in October.
Airbus is now near its full-year target to reach more than 1,000 firm orders in 2013. Having signed up firm commitments for an additional 175 aircraft in July, the European manufacturer is now at 932 gross firm orders, 892 net after cancellations, since the start of the year. Airbus’ original sales target was more than 700 aircraft, but management last month revised that upward in the face of strong demand in recent months.
