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.
British Airways and Iberia have denied a Spanish Web report that they would announce a merger in the next few days. According to Elconfidential.com, current Iberia shareholders would receive shares worth EUR23.5 for each Iberia share. The report also said that headquarters would be split between Madrid and London. "This is absolutely not true," a spokesman for Iberia said, a statement that BA later corroborated when it said, "There is nothing new in relations between Iberia and British Airways." -JF
Swiss federal prosecutors have launched an investigation against former Swiss CEO Andre Dose and Andre Auer, the former director of the Swiss federal aviation agency BAZL, for manslaughter in connection with the crash of a Crossair Avro-RJ in November 2001. Dose on Wednesday stepped down from his post as CEO, citing the upcoming investigation. He denied all charges.
German low-fare and charter carrier Air Berlin is considering an initial public offering (IPO) to fund its fleet expansion, Managing Director Joachim Hunold said at the international tourism exchange in Berlin. Air Berlin wants to order up to 70 aircraft for expansion or replacement. The company reported a small loss in 2003 but expects to be profitable this year. -JF
