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.
South African Airways is looking at an initial public offering as early as next summer, revealed CEO Khaya Ngqula. The IPO would follow a $500 million recapitalization program that the company hopes to complete by the end of the current fiscal year. Ngqula's comments come as a surprise, as earlier plans called for an IPO in the 2010 timeframe; however, the airline says it needs the funds for further expansion.
After years of following a strategy of non-investment, British Airways yesterday launched a lengthy process to finally replace its aging long-haul fleet, sending manufacturers a request for proposals for the replacement of 20 Boeing 747-400s and 14 767s. The RFP is only the beginning of what is likely to be an investment cycle spanning years. BA currently operates a fleet of 114 long-haul aircraft, among them 57 747-400s, 43 777s and 14 767-300s.
