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.
Iberia is no longer bidding for its domestic rival Spanair. The airline said late yesterday it has withdrawn its proposal to take over Spanair together with Gestair. Iberia stated this takes into account that “until now there has been no agreement regarding conditions.” It also cited “other circumstances and determining factors” as reasons without elaborating.
Bahrain’s national carrier Gulf Air placed a big Airbus order, with plans to more than double its fleet during the next five years. The airline ordered 15 A320s and 20 A330-300s, which will be used partly for replacement but mostly to expand capacity. The airline currently operates ten A320s, six A330-200s and nine A340-300s. The fleet is to expand to around 55 aircraft within the next five years, CEO Bjoern Naef said.
The Airbus A350XWB is heavier than targeted, says a German press report. Financial daily Handelsblatt reported that the current A350XWB weight exceeds targets by eight tons. Airbus confirmed the A350 is currently overweight but said steps are being taken to cut the weight and fulfill performance guarantees to customers.
