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.
Aeroflot took the first step toward a possible acquisition of Alitalia, joining Unicredit's investment banking arm in a bid to buy the unprofitable carrier. Unicredit said it was open for more industrial partners to take part in the consortium in a statement that sounds like an invitation for Air France/KLM, an alliance partner of both Alitalia and Aeroflot.
Rolls-Royce Trent engines will power British Airways' additional Boeing 777-200ERs, instead of General Electric's GE90, the carrier announced. British Airways recently ordered four additional 777-200ERs for delivery in 2009 and has four more options for 2010. "In terms of cost and ongoing maintenance support, Rolls-Royce came out in front," Commercial Director Robert Boyle said. BA currently operates 43 777s -- 16 of which are Rolls-Royce-powered and the remainder powered by GE90 engines. -JF
Russia wants to increase its stake in EADS, the country's Economics Minister, German Gref, said in Paris yesterday. "We have sent clear signals that we want to cooperate with Airbus," he said. That included upping the 5% stake Russia's state-owned Vneshtorgbank holds in EADS. The proposal has received a cool reception so far, but Airbus has offered the Russian aerospace industry a limited role in the A350XWB program. If Airbus did not want the partnership, "we will build up another cooperation strategy with other companies," Gref warned. -JF
