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, according to industry sources, is evaluating the fate of its loss-making German subsidiary Deutsche BA and could reach a decision to sell or close down the operation as early as September. Deutsche BA's (DBA's) Chief Executive Officer Adrian Hunt said that BA has asked DBA to improve its performance, and added that DBA is working diligently to make ``steady progress'' in achieving this end.
The SkyTeam alliance has added Alitalia to its ranks and plans to sign up at least two more international airlines, further solidifying its position against rivals Oneworld and Star Alliance.
TAM Brazil, which seeks to become a dominant player in the South American market, faces the difficult challenge of sustaining ambitious expansion efforts after the unexpected death of its president and owner Rolim Adolfo Amaro. Amaro, 58, died on July 8 in a helicopter crash near the border of Brazil and Paraguay (AW&ST July 16, p. 23). The charismatic boss leaves behind a financially sound carrier. But it remains to be seen if his successor, Daniel Madelli Martin, is capable of pursuing the strategic goals of the company with the same vigor.
