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

The Climbing Fast advocacy campaign launched in 2023 by U.S.-based NBAA is expanding its reach with the launch this week of an international website that will include content posted by business aviation groups in multiple countries. The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) announced the initiative on the eve of EBACE 2025, and the British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA) has signed up to host one of the platform’s national “rooms.”
According to IBAC director general Kurt Edwards, Climbing Fast was always intended to be a global initiative. “We’re all facing the same issues and now we’re able to put more of an international window on it to connect with industry and governments worldwide,” he told AIN. “The international page will draw on resources from the national groups, addressing sustainability in economic, societal, and environmental terms.”
BBGA’s “room” on the site will now incorporate its ongoing “Did You Know?” advocacy campaign, which has been highlighting myriad contributions made by business aviation companies, mainly through social media posts. “We have focused a lot on our environmental sustainability and humanitarian roles, and now we have somewhere we can put all these stories in one place and signposting them for both the public, regulators, and the industry itself,” explained Lindsey Oliver, the UK group’s managing director.
<h2>Business Aviation Makes a Difference</h2>
So far, the BBGA campaign has been able to highlight examples of UK business aviation humanitarian and disaster relief roles in countries as far afield as Brazil and Chile. It has also highlighted the findings of the report published in January by <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-01-29/europes-economy-faces-big-hit-green-limits-bizav">Oxford Economics</a>, which warned that government restrictions on the industry could cost Europe up to around €120 billion ($134 billion) in foreign direct investment and 104,000 jobs. The research was commissioned by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association and EBAA.
According to IBAC, the international platform will help national associations in the conversations they have with policymakers, customers, and even protestors. “It is very timely because we have the ICAO general assembly coming up at the end of September,” Edwards commented.
The newly added international section of the Climbing Fast platform will feature graphics representing the various national associations providing content. Additionally, the various groups will be able to share content and information.
According to Edwards, business aviation groups are seeing some shifts in the lobbying environment. In Europe, for instance, whereas 18 months ago the conversation was dominated by hostility to the industry over environmental impacts, there now seems to be somewhat more of a priority being given to the continent’s weak economies and ongoing cost-of-living issues. He hopes this could lead to a more open-minded recognition that environmental objectives are not at odds with financial imperatives.
This week at EBACE 2025, BBGA, IBAC, and other groups are exhibiting as part of the Association Village. In addition to NBAA, IBAC, GAMA, BBGA, and EBAA, Climbing Fast is also backed by the following groups: Canadian Business Aviation Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Aircraft Electronics Association, International Aircraft Dealers Association, National Air Transport Association, Vertical Aviation International, and Women in Corporate Aviation.

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

Climbing Fast Business Aviation Advocacy Initiative Goes Global 

A new international section of the website will feature content from national associations

Business aviation groups from outside the U.S. will now play a more direct role in the Climbing Fast initiative to demonstrate the industry’s positive role.

Climbing Fast Bizav Advocacy Initiative Goes Global

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Sarah Rose

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Company aims to go ‘beyond green’ 

Million Air Aims for ‘Beyond Green’ at White Plains Forum

Curt Epstein

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

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.

Fuel giant aims to help customers meet sustainabilly goals

Air bp Looks to Educate on SAF

Amy Wilder

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 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.

Research aircraft targets convection-driven wave activity

HIAPER Gulfstream V To Track Gravity Waves Over Iowa

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

The FBO at Hong Kong International Airport is now stocking SAF

HKBAC Brings Sustainable Aviation Fuel to Hong Kong

Hanneke Weitering

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Focus of research and development work will shift to ground-based testbed for thin wings

Boeing and NASA Shelve X-66 Sustainable Flight Demonstrator

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

EBACE Convention News 2025

More In Environment

Million Air Aims for ‘Beyond Green’ at White Plains Forum

Company aims to go ‘beyond green’

Air bp Looks to Educate on SAF

Fuel giant aims to help customers meet sustainabilly goals

HIAPER Gulfstream V To Track Gravity Waves Over Iowa

Research aircraft targets convection-driven wave activity

HKBAC Brings Sustainable Aviation Fuel to Hong Kong

The FBO at Hong Kong International Airport is now stocking SAF

Boeing and NASA Shelve X-66 Sustainable Flight Demonstrator

Focus of research and development work will shift to ground-based testbed for thin wings

Wheels Up Adds SAF Option for Charter Customers

Through a Delta Air Lines deal, its charter customers can now book SAF anywhere

New Sustainable Aviation Fuel Initiative Targets APAC

Green Fuel Forward aims to spur demand for SAF

Tamarack Aerospace Launches Carbon Offset Option

Program offers clients verifiable offsets

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN