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.
Overcapacity, poor management and regulatory restrictions are threatening the financial viability of many low-cost carriers in the Middle East, as is reflected in the demise of Sama Airlines in Saudi Arabia.
Lebanon’s Central Bank has decided to postpone the planned initial public offering (IPO) for Middle East Airlines (MEA). The IPO was originally scheduled to take place at the end of this year, but Central Bank Governor Riyad Salameh cited unfavorable market conditions as the main reason for the decision. The bank owns 100% of MEA’s share.
Irish low-fare carrier Ryanair is again looking at placing a large aircraft order; CEO Michael O’Leary told the Financial Times he is considering buying up to 300 additional aircraft either from Boeing or Airbus. O’Leary also said he has started lobbying for his idea to abandon the two-pilot concept on short-haul flights and instead have only one pilot for European services—Ryanair’s entire network.
