Charles Alcock
Managing Editor
Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.
Latest from Charles Alcock
Aircraft
Airbus Sees More Pain in Commercial Market Through 3Q2020
Airliner deliveries could fall further during the second and third quarters of 2020, resulting in greater financial pressure on the aerospace supply chain.
Airlines
British Airways To Cut 12,000 Jobs as Covid-19 Hits Results
Some 12,000 will be laid off at British Airways, which accounted for the majority of parent group IAG's declining revenues during the first quarter.
Charter & Fractional
NetJets Cuts Staff, Planned Aircraft Deliveries for 2020
The workforces of NetJets Europe and Executive Jet Management have been cut by 25 percent in response to a significant dip in demand for flights.
Aircraft
UV-C Light System Eliminates Covid-19 from Aircraft Cabins
Israel Aerospace Industries said its robot UV-C light unit could move inside aircraft cabins, eliminating viruses and germs from exposed surfaces.
Airports
Biggin Hill Airport Presses Ahead with Long-term Growth Plans
Biggin Hill Airport's new CEO wants to develop a complete business aviation ecosystem that will drive long-term growth for business aviation in London.
Charter & Fractional
Stardustjets Teams with Heron to Launch Indian Charter Services
Stardustjets and Germany's Heron will jointly apply for an Indian air operator's certificate and the Mumbai-based startup intends to buy a midsized jet.
Airports
Carbon Neutral Farnborough Doesn't Rest on Its Green Laurels
The UK's Farnborough Airport spent nine years making the changes that resulted in it becoming the world's first carbon neutral business aviation airport.
Charter & Fractional
First Half of April Sees Further Steep Falls in Bizjet Flights
The U.S. and Europe saw the steepest traffic decline in the first half of April and this is reflected in falling charter flight hour rates.
Charter & Fractional
Travel Restrictions Require Extra Diligence by Trip Planners
Passengers on a charter flight from the UK to France were denied entry at Marseille Airport, highlighting the complexity of current travel restrictions.
Aircraft
Wing Drone Deliveries Support Social Distancing
Wing's 10-pound drone delivers three-pound packages containing items such as medications on round trips of up to 12 miles at speeds of up to 70 mph.
Charter & Fractional
Bizav Traffic Stays Down as Charter Demand Stabilizes
Data analysts report business aviation traffic to be between 65 and 77 percent down on 2019, but fluctuations in future charter demand may be stabilizing.
Aircraft
Sustainable Aviation and Urban Air Mobility Experts To Meet Virtually
Foresight Aerospace's Sustainable Aviation and Urban Air Mobility conference will include eVTOL program leaders, regulators and technology specialists.
Safety
Bizav Industry Puts a Brave Face on Covid-19's Impact
Some analysis of trends points to a recovery beginning no sooner than the end of May, but only if infection rates peak, allowing restrictions to be relaxed
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
EBAA and GAMA Issue Action Plan to Safeguard Business Aviation
EBAA, GAMA and national business aviation groups called on Europe's governments to allow financial relief and regulatory flexibility for business aviation.
FutureFlight
Software Errors Caused Kitty Hawk's Heaviside Prototype to Crash Land
NTSB accident reported found that software script used during battery recharging of the Heaviside electric aircraft interfered with flight controls during a test flight.
FutureFlight
Covid-19 Prompts Airbus to Close Voom Helicopter Rideshare Program
Voom was launched in 2017 as part of the effort by Airbus's A3 (A Cubed) division to develop eVTOL aircraft for urban air mobility operations
Charter & Fractional
Airbus Closes Voom Per-seat Helicopter Charter Service
Airbus closed its Voom per seat helicopter charter operation, saying that data generated from the booking app will inform its urban air mobility plans.
Aircraft
Bizav Demand Dip Deepens As Covid-19 Closes Factories
Closure of factories and FBOs add to the sense that business aviation accepts it is facing more than short-term disruption from the Covid-19 pandemic.
FutureFlight
Early eVTOL Aircraft Deliveries Boost EHang's 2019 Revenues
Revenues climbed at EHang in 2019, largely driven by deliveries of its 216 AAV, even before the eVTOL aircraft has completed type certification.
Regulations and Government
Early eVTOL Deliveries Boost EHang's Revenues in 2019
EHang's revenue growth in 2019 is based on an ambitious plan to start eVTOL aircraft deliveries before it achieves type certification.
FutureFlight
Existing Investors Back the Lilium Jet With a Further $240 Million
Lilium has now raised more than $340 million in several funding rounds since the German eVTOL maker launched in 2015.
Aircraft
Lilium Raises $240M More for Its eVTOL Program
The further $240 million in funding raised by Lilium for its eVTOL aircraft development suggests that investors are not deterred by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Aircraft
Travel Bans Complicate Bizav's Bid to Keep Business Moving
The private charter sector seems to have been able to capitalise on urgent demand for lift as Covid-19 travel bans bite, but how long will this last?
Airlines
New Data Shows Scale of the EU Travel Ban's Effect on Airlines
Almost 50,000 flights and more than 10 million seats will disappear from the market as a direct result of the European Union's 30-day travel ban.
FutureFlight
CityHawk VTOL Developer Urban Aeronautics Starts UAM Partnership With Rideshare Group Ascent
Asian air taxi rideshare group Ascent is working to develop urban air mobility plans with Urban Aeronautics, which is developing the CityHawk eVTOL
Aircraft
Ascent Makes UAM Plans With eVTOL Group Urban Aeronautics
Asian rideshare group Ascent believes that Urban Aeronautics' hydrogen powered CityHawk eVTOL could be a good solution for sustainable urban air mobility.
Regulations and Government
European Union Closes Borders As Flight Restrictions Tighten
The European Union's external border will be closed to most non-citizens for at least 30 days, but flight crew will still be allowed entry.
FutureFlight
Skyryse Launches FlightOS Automation System to Ease Pilot Load
The FlightOS automation system is being offered to developers of eVTOL aircraft.
FutureFlight
EHang Expands Plans for eVTOL Flight Trials in Spain and Norway
EHang has an agreement to develop urban air mobility plans in the Spanish city of Seville, and a permit to start flight trials in Norway.
Safety
FlightOS Automation System Promises Safety and Flexibility
The new FlightOS flight automation system from Skyryse is to be available for retrofit on almost any aircraft. It is intended to relieve pilot workload.
