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.
Airbus will make a decision in the coming weeks about increasing the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) on its A330-300 as it explores evolutions of the widebody while also working on the successor A350. The first takeoff weight growth of the A330-300 to 235 metric tons should be available in the third quarter, but John Leahy, chief operating officer for customers, says that around the time of the Farnborough air show in mid July the airframer may unveil a plan to increase MTOW to 240 metric tons, which would add 400 nm to the aircraft’s range.
Austrian Airlines Chief Operating Officer Peter Malanik is leaving the airline with immediate effect; his duties are being assumed by CEO Jaan Albrecht and Chief Commercial Officer Karsten Benz.
Airbus CEO Tom Enders says he doubts Boeing will drop the 737 MAX soon in favor of an all-new design. “I have heard that rumor, too,” he said May 25. “But it would be difficult to convince the engine makers to spend more money on another major program.” Talk about Boeing possibly pulling development of a new single-aisle forward is linked to its struggles to re-engine the 737NG and reach the same fuel burn improvement promised by Airbus for its A320NEO. Airbus says the aircraft will use 15% less fuel than the classic A320 variant.
