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—German aerospace association BDLI is concerned that the country’s political role in the Libya conflict will damage the local defense industry. “I don’t believe this was a helpful move for the German companies, in particular with regard to European projects, be it Franco-German or Anglo-German cooperation,” BDLI Chairman and Airbus CEO Thomas Enders told journalists at the BDLI annual press conference in Berlin. “Germany is not alone in cutting back its defense budget,” thus more cooperation and separation of roles was needed, he says.
Qatar Airways is allegedly close to buying a minority stake in financially struggling Cargolux. According to various reports, Qatar plans to take a 33.7% stake in the Luxembourg-based cargo airline. However, when Qatar CEO Akbar Al-Baker was asked about the possible move, he answered: “Wait and see. You will hear about it soon.”
Swiss air traffic control provider Skyguide named Alex Bristol as its new chief operating officer. Bristol succeeds Urs Ryf, who announced his resignation from the position late last year. Bristol, 42, previously served as director-international affairs at British air traffic control company NATS. He will take on his new position in July.
