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.
Swiss bank UBS is looking for a buyer of an 18.75% stake in Europe’s third largest low-fare airline Air Berlin, according to industry sources. The stake was previously held by U.S. Russian entrepreneur Len Blavatnik. In January, Air Berlin said that Blavatnik had passed on the stake, but no buyer formally appeared. German financial daily Handelsblatt reported that UBS has taken control of the stake as collateral for a large loan.
Cologne/Bonn Airport appears to be hoping it can attract Ryanair as a new operator. German financial daily Handelsblatt reported Tuesday that the two sides are in negotiations to make Cologne/Bonn a Ryanair base; neither side was prepared to comment officially, however.
Air Berlin’s executive board members and the airline’s senior management will cut bonuses in half on a voluntary basis this year to contribute to an ongoing cost savings program. The measure will result in a €2 million (US$2.58 million) in savings. Air Berlin said it will stick to its previous guidance of achieving an operating profit in the financial year 2008 ended December 31. Details of its financials will be released on March 30.
