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

Even as the EU-ETS officially takes effect for air transport, it remains under fire politically and legally from almost every direction. The U.S., China, India, Russia and numerous other states have all made high-level protests against the cap-and-trade system–in some cases backing these up with thinly veiled threats of economic sanctions against the European Union, if it refuses to back down in its insistence on imposing ETS on operators from outside Europe.
On December 21, the European Court of Justice confirmed a <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/?q=aviation-news/aviation-international-news/2011-11-02/political-battlelines-drawn-over-ets-european-court-denies-challenge">decision to deny an appeal</a> made by <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/?q=aviation-news/2011-12-06/air-transport-association-america-now-airlines-america">Airlines for America</a> (formerly the Air Transport Association) against the imposition of the European Union’s emissions trading scheme (ETS). The blocking of this legal avenue, which confirms an earlier provisional ruling in October by ECJ advocate general Juliane Kokott, is likely to stoke the fires of political opposition to ETS.
The U.S. Senate’s Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation is set to vote on the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act. The act, which mirrors a <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/?q=aviation-news/ainalerts/2011-10-25/us-house-passes-anti-eu-emissions-tax">bill already passed by the House of Representatives</a>, would make it illegal for U.S. operators to comply with ETS and would require the U.S. government to help them if they face any penalties for non-compliance.
If the act were to become law, it could result in a legal and diplomatic minefield. It seems questionable whether U.S. officials could realistically protect U.S. operators from penalties imposed for flagrantly disobeying the laws of an overseas sovereign power (i.e. the European Union). But the act, which is supported by NBAA, would undoubtedly serve to up the political stakes surrounding opposition to EU-ETS and could become a tipping point towards a full-blown trade war over the issue. 
Both VerifAvia’s Julien Dufour and Universal’s Adam Hartley urged operators to ignore the political furor and press ahead with compliance until the issue can be resolved one way or another. “You just can’t count on the political and legal challenges,” advised Hartley, who admitted that the row has distracted some operators from the process of compliance.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

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News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

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