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.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Business aviation growth in Eastern Europe is bouncing back, according to the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA). New data presented at the association’s regional forum in the Austrian capital Vienna on January 20 showed 2010 traffic throughout Eastern Europe up by 10 percent on 2009, with countries such as the Ukraine showing increases of more than 20 percent.
According to the Russian United Business Aviation Association (RUBAA), traffic levels in the second half of 2010 were close to those seen in 2008 before the full impact of the financial crisis was felt. This follows a 24-percent dip in traffic levels for the region in 2009. EBAA chairman Rodolfo Baviera reported that Russian authorities are showing a willingness to reform regulations and tax structures that have discriminated heavily against business aviation.
However, the forum also heard that regulatory inconsistencies between Western European states continue to be as serious a problem to business aviation as differences between standards with Eastern Europe. Delegates complained of significant variations in how national authorities in Western Europe define rules governing private and commercial flights.
There were also complaints about big discrepancies in the way existing rules and requirements for charter flight permits are enforced (or, more commonly, not enforced). These inconsistencies are undermining efforts to achieve common safety standards in Europe and a level competitive playing field, according to EBAA member operators.
Herve Laitat, CEO of Belgian operator Abelag Aviation, told the forum that tough economic conditions have only served to encourage operators and their clients to exploit regulatory inconsistency and to blur the line between private and commercial operators.
“Since the [financial] crisis safety has not increased at all,” Laitat said. “There has been a surge in the number of aircraft and a surge in the number of <a href="?q=node/27988">small operators looking to break into the charter sector</a>, with a great risk from private operators shifting into commercial operations. We see more and more tendency for owners to avoid commercial rules and set up private operations, and safety is forgotten.”
The EBAA forum, staged under the theme One Europe: A Roadmap for Aligning East and West, attracted just over 100 delegates. A full report on the forum will appear in the March edition of Aviation International News.

�

Bizav bounces back in Eastern Europe, but regulatory headaches remain

Business aviation growth in Eastern Europe is bouncing back, according to the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA).

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN