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.
More turbulence is rocking Airbus. The inability of Airbus parent EADS to sell off three German facilities is causing upheaval with industrial plans for the A350XWB. Airbus will have to carry more work on its balance sheet, and consequently pay a higher development bill. Although EADS officials note the company has ample cash to finance higher costs for the A350 program, it aimed to use that money to make a mid-size acquisition in the U.S. this year.
More Star Alliance carriers are moving into London Heathrow Terminal 1 this year, as the alliance continues its push to consolidate the group’s operations in one terminal.
Embraer, in response to rising demand, plans to more than double its commercial jet production over the next two years and is looking to build its executive business jet market position. Last year, the Brazilian manufacturer delivered 169 jet aircraft (seven Embraer ERJ 145s, 35 Legacy 600s, 11 Embraer 170s, 34 175s, 68 190s and 10 195s). Four aircraft were for government use. Production is to increase to 215 units this year and 250 in 2009.
