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.
Lufthansa Cargo has decided to drop the war-risk surcharge it introduced after the outbreak of the Iraq war, effective April 21. The airline charged its customers EUR0.10 (US$0.11) per kilogram. Lufthansa Cargo said all destinations in the Middle East would be served normally after the Easter holidays. -JF
Virgin Atlantic plans to operate humanitarian relief flights from London to Iraq to fly in medical workers and supplies. The airline said it is currently working with the U.K. government and aid organizations about how to implement the plans. Virgin Atlantic also told the government it was ready to introduce scheduled air services to the country suspended in 1990 prior to the second Gulf War.
German Finance Minister Hans Eichel has told the country's biggest airline, Lufthansa, that the government would not cover third-party liability in excess of Lufthansa's current $2 billion private insurance coverage in case of a terrorist attack with one of its aircraft.
