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.
FRANKFURT—Europe's airlines are under enormous economic stress. Some are to be sold and some—like Malev and Spanair—already have disappeared this year. The consequences for the MRO sector are likely to be more subtle, but that does not mean no changes. Those airlines that already have big MRO organizations in the region will have to look at how to make those operations more efficient. Those that do not will be forced to seek outsourced work for even less. And those that have some in-house capabilities are facing crucial choices: sell, combine or expand.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) mandated the replacement of six aluminum rivets on the Airbus A380 in its latest airworthiness directive (AD 12-014) for the type. The rivets have been used at the junction of Fuselage Stringer 21 left and right and Frame 0. During an engineering review, the pieces have been found “not in compliance with the certification requirements.” While the structural limit load capability is still ensured, the rivets may not sustain ultimate load stress, according to fatigue analysis.
Rudiger Grube, formerly chairman of the EADS board of directors, could be back soon representing German interests. Currently CEO of Deutsche Bahn railways, Grube is rumored to be the top candidate for a position at the aerospace giant after the German government completes its acquisition of a 7.5% stake in the company through its development bank KfW. Grube was chairman until 2009, when he accepted the position at Deutsche Bahn.
