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.
Charter airline Hamburg International placed an order for 14 Airbus A319s, Airbus said this week. The order also includes options for six additional aircraft. Hamburg International plans to replace its current fleet of 10 Boeing 737s and use the remainder of the A319s for growth. The order was signed in December 2005 but only announced yesterday. -JF
European Union officials yesterday raided the offices of several European airlines, following allegations that they may have been involved in anticompetitive behavior. The inquiry is the first in the European airline industry. Airlines being investigated include British Airways, Lufthansa, SAS Group, Air France-KLM and Cargolux. The EU is cooperating with the U.S. Justice Dept. and other foreign authorities, officials said. "The commission has reason to believe that the companies concerned may have violated" EU cartel rules," the EC said in a statement.
German entrepreneur and billionaire Lutz Helmig bought a 25.1% stake in low-fare airline DBA, the company said yesterday. The decision removes uncertainty about the airline's financial situation and makes DBA's growth plans easier to realize. The airline also said an initial public offering (IPO) cannot be ruled out in the long term.
