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.
British Airways is making changes to its customer services organization upon the retirement of unit head Mike Street, who will leave the carrier by monthend after 42 years of service. Geoff Want, currently in charge of safety and security, will take over all ground operations in the U.K. and abroad. Want will also be in charge of BA's move into Heathrow's Terminal 5, planned in 2008. He will report to Commercial Director Martin George.
Alitalia posted a EUR122 million (EUR150 million) net loss in the first half of 2005, compared with a EUR497 million loss a year earlier, the company said yesterday. Sales were up 10% at EUR2.16 billion (US$2.66 billion). The airline expects to break even in the third quarter and hopes to cut its full-year loss from EUR813 million to about EUR100 million. -JF
Italy's aviation safety agency ENAC last week banned Tunisian regional airline Tuninter from flying to Italy and ordered checks for all ATRs operated in the country, following a recent Tuninter ATR-72 crash off the coast near Palermo (DAILY, Aug. 8).
