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 Airport operator Fraport must pay EUR1.5 million (US$1.8 million) to Asiana Airlines to compensate for serious damage incurred during the taxi of a Boeing 747-400. The aircraft was damaged on the underside of the fuselage by loose parts. In the following lawsuit, Fraport unsuccessfully argued that the aircraft's taxi speed was excessive. -JF
The Board of Airline Representatives in Germany (BARIG) stood up yesterday against public spending on regional airport development, saying investment should be focused on the big hub airports, such as Munich and Frankfurt, and on construction of a new airport in Berlin.
Iberia yesterday took delivery of its 80th Airbus A320 series aircraft, part of the 1998 program to renew its narrowbody fleet. The aircraft was also the 13th A321 and will be used on domestic and European flights. The airline has three outstanding orders for the A321 and two for the A320. Iberia also ordered 11 A340-600s, of which six are in service. -JF
