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.
The Association of European Airlines (AEA) is concerned about the outcome of the European Union-U.S. open aviation area talks, saying one result should be assurance of fair and open market access between and within the two areas.
The Austrian Airlines Group posted better-than-expected results in 2003, as earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) improved to EUR63.4 million (US$79 million) from EUR41.4 million in 2002; pre-tax profit was EUR25.7 million (US$32 million). Preliminary figures released Friday also show revenues were down 7.5% at EUR2.04 billion (US$2.5 billion). CEO Vagn Soerensen said the company implemented lower cost structures that spurred a turnaround.
Alitalia CEO Francesco Mengozzi will step down at the company's next board meeting on Thursday, according to Italian national daily La Republicca. Mauricio Basile, who would serve as the government's special envoy for the carrier, could replace Mengozzi, the paper said. Mengozzi has come under pressure recently, as unions continue to block his turnaround plan for the ailing carrier. Alitalia's 2003 loss is estimated to be about EUR450 million. -JF
