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.
Air Berlin is taking over the outstanding shares in its Austrian subsidiary Niki. The carrier currently holds a 49.9% stake in the low-fare airline and announced yesterday that it will acquire the remainder. The deal is a non-cash transaction. In 2010, Air Berlin had granted a €40 million ($55 million) loan to a foundation controlled by Niki majority owner Niki Lauda. According to the terms of the loan, it could be paid back or converted into shares, which is what has been decided now. Niki Lauda will become a non-executive director on the Air Berlin board.
With the more than 400 wide-body aircraft on firm order by the three largest Middle Eastern carriers, one question is being asked frequently: Is there a market for all of these aircraft? In spite of what European competitors tend to say, the answer is mostly “yes.”
British Airways parent International Airlines Group (IAG) has reached an agreement in principle to buy BMI British Midland from Lufthansa, the companies said Friday. The deal is subject to several conditions, including further due diligence and regulatory approvals. Lufthansa officials said in a conference call with analysts and reporters that they expect the transaction to be completed in the first quarter of 2012. No financial details were released.
