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.
While British Airways does not plan to cut capacity in the face of rising fuel prices, other European carriers now looking at capacity plans in the light of mounting fuel costs face "a very difficult winter," said BA Commercial Director Martin George. George, speaking to The DAILY at BA's Waterside headquarters, said, however, he would not go as far as Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary, who predicted a "bloodbath" for the winter (DAILY, Aug. 10).
Spain and Turkey plan to sell stakes in Iberia and Turkish Airlines. The Spanish government wants to sell the 5.3% it still holds in the former national carrier. The move is part of a broader initiative in which stakes in other companies will also be sold. The government hopes to raise close to EUR800 million (US$997 million) through its efforts. In a similar development, Turkey plans to launch an initial public offering of 20% of its Turkish Airlines shares in November. The carrier is currently fully state-owned.
Iceland-based wet-lease specialist Air Atlanta Icelandic has launched an offer to buy U.K. charter carrier Excel Airways. According to a regulatory filing, Air Atlanta is offering GB105 pence a share, 2.3% below Thursday's closing price. Excel Airways operates a fleet of Boeing 737-800s, 757-200s and 767-200s on a short- and long-haul charter network. The airline posted a GBP7.6 million (US$13.7 million) loss on GBP67.4 million in revenues in the first half of 2004. -JF
