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.
Industry leaders and economic policy makers plan to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel Feb. 23 in an effort to find out who could take part of the Daimler AG shareholding in European aerospace giant EADS. The German car maker plans to reduce its stake in EADS further, according to comments by CEO Dieter Zetsche and CFO Bodo Uebber. Zetsche stated on the sidelines of Daimler’s annual news conference that a change in the EADS shareholder structure was possible. Uebber added that Daimler wants to keep “industrial leadership.”
Norwegian Air Shuttle plans to continue its rapid growth in 2011 despite a significantly reduced profit in full-year 2010. The airline will add 20-25% more capacity this year as it takes delivery of 15 new Boeing 737-800s, compared with 11 aircraft added in 2010.
Malaysian low-cost carrier Air Asia is in talks for a massive Airbus A320NEO order. CEO Tony Fernandes told reporters in Paris that a planned order for the aircraft would be “not dissimilar” in size to the previous purchase of 175 classic A320s. He cautioned, however, that financial terms of the deal have not yet been agreed on. Virgin America became the first airline to sign a firm order for the A320NEO in January with a commitment for 30 aircraft. Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo wants to buy 180 aircraft, but has not closed a firm order yet.
