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.
Air Berlin’s Chief Maintenance Officer Wolfgang Kurth is leaving the airline, effective immediately. Air Berlin said there were unsurmountable differences of opinion regarding the carrier’s maintenance operations and how they should be integrated into the group. CEO Joachim Hunold will take over Kurth’s position on an interim basis until a successor is found.
Finnair reported a €180 million loss for 2009 on sales of €1.8 billion as it was struck by the effects of the economic crisis. Sales were down 18.5% and fares were 12% lower than a year earlier. Finnair said the reductions were felt particularly in business travel and passengers shifted to cheaper booking classes in large quantities.
Iberia on Friday took delivery of an Airbus A319, the first new aircraft since its fleet renewal program was suspended more than a year ago as a result of the global economic crisis. The aircraft is its 22nd A319 and 77th A320 family aircraft. It has outstanding orders for another nine narrowbodies.
