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.
An 18.9% stake in Air Berlin may now be placed as collateral with a major bank following last week’s announcements that Len Blavatnik, the airline’s biggest shareholder, had disposed of his holding. According to German stock market regulations, a new investor would have had to make himself known to the public after five days. But even after that period expired, no announcement was filed.
Finnair is cutting 120 permanent jobs and will not renew contracts for 400 temporary workers as a reaction to a slowdown in demand for air travel. The airline will also lay off 3,000 of its staff for three weeks, saving the airline EUR25 million. Anssi Komullainen, head of the airline’s human resources division, says Finnair will look at additional measures to become more productive.
Air France-KLM may make an offer for SAS Group, according to French daily La Tribune. The paper said Europe’s biggest airline group is studying the sales process that has been ongoing since mid-2008. Both SAS and Air France-KLM declined comment.
