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.
Irish low-fare airline Ryanair will open two new bases in continental Europe early next year. The airline will base four aircraft at Rome Ciampino Airport, beginning Jan. 28, and fly to Klagenfurt, Karlsruhe, London, Charleroi, Hahn, Paris, London Stansted and Stockholm. Five aircraft will be deployed to Girona, north of Barcelona, to serve London, Paris, Dublin, Rome, Glasgow, Liverpool, Charleroi, Eindhoven, Hahn, Venice, Milan, Alghero, Birmingham, Turin, Bournemouth and Karlsruhe.
Italian stock exchange regulator Consob claimed in court that Gandalf Airlines overstated the value of its assets in its 2002 accounts. The regional carrier has also illegitimately deferred tax payments, Consob contended. Gandalf is in the process of raising EUR4 million from investors and could face liquidation if funds do not materialize. Gandalf hasn't made a profit since its 1999 launch. -JF
The new owner of German low fare airline DBA -- formerly British Airways subsidiary Deutsche BA -- Hans-Rudolf Woehrl, has threatened to shut down the airline if unions stage another strike before Christmas. Woehrl said in an interview that warning strikes earlier this year cost the airline EUR2.5 million ($US2.95 million). DBA could reach a profit for the first time in its history in the financial year 2004/05, but only without further strike (DAILY, Nov. 10).
