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.
Gulf Air was the main carrier of the Persian Gulf region for decades. But now, political unrest and economic turmoil are threatening its very survival. The Bahraini government has been looking at various options that include shutting down the airline in favor of creating a new national carrier or continuing to invest in Gulf Air, but diminishing its scope. After weeks of uncertainty, it appears that Gulf Air will continue to fly, but as a significantly smaller carrier. And the key question remains: How long can it count on government support?
Robert Wall (London), Andy Nativi (Genoa), Jens Flottau (Munich)
In the U.S., the aerospace and defense industry has not been subtle in preparing for a leaner spending era: L-3 Communications is looking to sell assets, ITT Corp. has spun off its defense activities, as did Northrop Grumman with its shipbuilding business. In Europe, the signs are much less obvious, but they are there.
