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
Regulations and Government
UK Eases Quarantine Rules for Some Countries
The delayed review of the UK's contentious quarantine policy eases requirements for 59 countries, but not for travelers from the U.S. and many others.
Aircraft
Farnborough Airshow Goes Virtual with FIA Connect
FIA Connect will feature a busy program of webinars and conferences, as well as a Meet the Buyer event and online meetings for young people.
Airlines
EU Excludes U.S. and Others From Lifting of Travel Ban
From July 1, travel from 15 countries will be permitted into the European Union, based on their performance in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Aircraft
Airbus Demonstrates Autonomous Flight with ATTOL Project
An Airbus A350-1000 widebody airliner achieved fully autonomous taxi, takeoff, and landings in a series of test flights.
Aircraft
Airliner Deliveries Hit New Low as ADS Predicts Slow Recovery
The order backlog for airliners as of the end of May stood at 13,779, with relatively few cancellations recorded to date.
Airlines
Dutch Government Backs $3.8 Billion Support Package for KLM
A new credit facility and loan for KLM has been agreed almost two months after sister company Air France got state aid.
Airlines
Qantas Grounding 100 Aircraft, Retiring 747s
Facing dramatic reductions in air travel, Qantas has unveiled a $10 billion recovery plan.
Aircraft
UAM Sector Set For Tighter Finances and Consolidation
Sameer Saveni from UK industry group ADS says UAM pioneers have reached an inflection point from which a smaller number of eVTOL contenders will emerge.
Aircraft
Korean Start-up Airline Hi Air Orders Two ATR 72-500s
Hi Air, which started operations in February 2020, is doubling the size of its fleet following South Korea's emergence from Covid-19 lockdown.
Airlines
IATA Presses For Alternatives to Quarantines and Travel Bans
Travelers are as concerned about being quarantined as they are about catching the Covid virus, according to new IATA research.
Aircraft
Honeywell Flight Tests Sensors for UAM Autonomous Ops
Honeywell is working to improve the performance of sensors to support autonomous aircraft operations in challenging urban air mobility environments.
Aircraft
ZeroAvia Targets Commercial Hydrogen Aircraft Ops by 2023
ZeroAviation is set to flight test a hydrogen-powered six-seat aircraft, but says that by 2040 the technology could carry 200 people more than 3,000 nm.
FutureFlight
SkyDrive Set For First Flight of Flying Car With 100 Corporate Backers
The Japanese eVTOL developer expects to make a first public flight during the summer of 2020.
Regulations and Government
UK Bizav Steps Up Fight for Quarantine Exemption
BBGA says the UK goverment has ignored its proposals for safety measures it believes could avoid the need for a damaging quarantine.
Aircraft
HyPoint To Provide Hydrogen Fuel Cells for CityHawk eVTOL
Hydrogen fuel weighs less than jet fuel and for the CityHawk eVTOL it will deliver range of us to around 125 miles when it enters service from around 2028.
Airlines
Qantas Halts All Intl Flights As Australia Stays Closed
Australia's borders will remain closed to most international visitors through 2021, with the exception of trips to and from New Zealand.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
IATA Demands More Concessions on ATM Fees and Slot Rules
IATA says Europe's airlines have yet to see the worst of the traffic downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, with more jobs and heavier losses to come.
FutureFlight
Urban Aeronautics Selects HyPoint to Provide Hydrogen Fuel Cells For CityHawk VTOL
The hydrogen-powered version of the aircraft is expected to start flight testing between 2028 and 2030.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Siemens Offers UV Light as Cabin Disinfection Solution
The UV light system has been proven to kill a wide range of viruses and bacteria, and is believed to be effective against Covid-19.
Avionics
Honeywell Focuses New Unit on UAS and UAM Sectors
The new Honeywell business unit will offer avionics, power, air traffic management, and other systems for new aircraft in the UAS and UAM sectors.
Regulations and Government
UK Airlines Launch Legal Challenge to Quarantine Rules
British Airways, EasyJet and Ryanair asked a court to rule on their objections to a 14-day quarantine requirement for most travelers arriving in the UK.
Charter & Fractional
Charter App Ascent Expands Helo Service to Thailand
Ascent has partnered with Thai helicopter operators SRS Aviation and Advance Aviation to offer on demand helicopter charter in several locations.
Aircraft
EASA Awards First Electric Aircraft TC to Pipistrel
EASA this week completed what it says is the world's first type certification for a fully electric aircraft, indicating it will pave the way for others.
Aircraft
Wisk Resumes Cora eVTOL Test Flights after Covid Halt
The four Cora eVTOL prototypes have logged more than 1,300 flight test hours at development sites in New Zealand and California.
Aircraft
Airflow Launches eSTOL Electric Cargo Aircraft
Former members of Airbus's Vahana eVTOL development team now believe that electric short takeoff and landing aircraft could be more cost effective.
Finance, Taxes, Insurance
France Unveils €15 Billion Aid Package For Aviation Industry
Government funding includes existing support for Air France, plus a further €8 billion for various aspects of the aerospace sector.
Regulations and Government
Bizav Traffic into the UK Spikes Ahead of Quarantine, Then Falls
WingX data shows a sharp increase in business aircraft movements into the UK as travelers rushed to avoid new quarantine rules that took effect on June 8.
Airlines
British Airways Challenges UK Government Over Quarantine
British Airways is suing the UK government after refusing to participate in a meeting with the UK Home Secretary to discuss new quarantine rules.
Regulations and Government
UK Business Aviation Fails To Win Quarantine Exemption
The UK aviation industry fears that already low traffic levels will collapse when the quarantine is enforced from June 8.
Airlines
UK Government Refuses To Act on Layoffs after Airline Bailouts
UK aviation minister says government cannot act to stop layoffs at BA and EasyJet and will not extend further support to the country's aviation industry.
