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.
WestLB plans to sell its Boullion Aviation Services aircraft leasing arm. The Duesseldorf-based bank left open whether it will sell its entire stake in the carrier or keep part of it. WestLB bought Boullion for EUR1.2 billion from Deutsche Bank four years ago. As part of the sale preparations, WestLB took direct control of SALE, in which Boullion held a 35.5% stake. -JF
Expanded code sharing between Air France and Air Europa may lead to Air Europa becoming an associate member of the SkyTeam alliance. Air France confirmed that negotiations are in progress. Air Europa will put its code on Air France flights from Bordeaux, Toulouse and Lyon to Madrid as well as from Bordeaux, Lyon and Paris to Barcelona and Vigo, while Air France will place its code on Air Europa services from Madrid and Barcelona to Paris. The alliance also is holding similar talks with Kenya Airways, which is 26% owned by KLM. -JF
Spanish carrier Iberia plans to introduce new nonstop flights from Madrid to Guatemala and Panama this year and will cut down its presence at Miami Airport. The airline has been considering the move for some time, as it complained about delays for international connecting passengers caused by new security procedures (DAILY, June 16). Iberia will keep a daily service to Miami connecting to U.S. and Central American destinations on other airlines.
