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.
Following years of continuous growth, the German aerospace industry may soon initiate its first layoffs as it grapples with a sharp downturn in the airline sector. Members of BDLI, the German aerospace industries association, posted 15.3 billion euros ($13.5 billion) in revenues last year, up from $13 billion in 2000. Employment increased to 71,000 from 69,000, its highest level since the early 1990s.
Fairchild Dornier has reached an agreement with a consortium of banks and shareholders, as well as the Bavarian state and German federal government, regarding a substantial capital injection to secure funding for the manufacturer's expanded product range, pending European Commission approval.
Lufthansa German Airlines is facing more battering from labor unrest and low-cost carrier competition. In addition, it received a federal warning over alleged predatory pricing. However, Lufthansa executives say they see signs of a slow market recovery which could lead to a small profit in 2002.
