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.
Middle Eastern airlines have long been accused of receiving unfair government support, but they are arguing that their model should serve as an example for the world. “Yes, we have governments support us, in the same way as Europeans did before their privatization,” Qatar Airways CEO Akbar al Baker told delegates at the Arab Air Carrier Organization (AACO) annual general meeting here last week. He argues that once airlines in the region “are properly mature,” they will launch initial public offerings (IPO) and privatize to fully stand on their own feet.
The Latvian government has bought back almost all of the outstanding shares of Air Baltic, effectively taking full control of the airline. The state purchased a 47.2% stake for the nominal value of LVL224,453 ($432,000). The shares were held by Baltic Aviation Systems (BAS), the company set up by former CEO Berthold Flick, but which were deposited as a security at Krajbanka.
The Star Alliance will announce its new CEO at the Chief Executive Board meeting scheduled for Dec. 12-13, industry sources say. The alliance has agreed on a list of three candidates, but the final selection has not been made. According to the sources, Alex de Gunten, executive director of the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA), is one of the three people on the list. Star officials declined comment.
