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.
SAS Group shareholders in five days will decide if they will proceed with a new restructuring program to save the airline, and the company's board of directors on Nov. 18 will discuss key initiatives included in its 4Excellence Next Generation (4XNG) rescue plan. Without the plan, SAS will not gain access to new financing agreed on by a consortium of banks and its core shareholders. As part of 4XNG, SAS plans to sell its ground-handling unit, airport real estate, spare engines and Norwegian regional airline Wideroe.
Afriqiyah Airways has converted its existing order for six Airbus A350-800s into the larger -900 version. The airline also added another four aircraft to the order book and now holds a total commitment for 10 aircraft. Afriqiyah did not disclose when it will take delivery of the aircraft. The airline currently operates two A330-200s and one A340-300, according to Airbus. It also has three A319s and six A320s.
International Airlines Group (IAG) has announced massive job and capacity cuts for Iberia, saying the Spanish subsidiary is in a “fight for survival,” just one day after formally announcing a takeover effort for Spain’s low-fare operator Vueling. Under the plan, IAG will reduce Iberia’s capacity at least 15% in 2013 and cut 4,500 jobs. More reductions will come if management cannot reach new collective bargaining agreements with staff by Jan. 31.
