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 Campaign for Better Transport (CfBT) is calling&nbsp;on the UK government to impost a tenfold increase in the air passenger duty (APD) for private charter flights. The environmental transportation group also wants business aviation to lose its current exemption from the country’s 20 percent value-added tax (VAT) and for this levy to be imposed on every aircraft movement, regardless of flight duration.
From April 2023, the UK’s APD rates for commercially-operated business aircraft will range from £78 ($94) for flights up to 2,000 miles&nbsp;to £601 ($721) for flights longer than 5,500 miles. In a statement issued on December 30, the CfBT demanded that these increase to £780 and £6,010, respectively,&nbsp;claiming that this “super APD tax” could raise around £1.4 billion annually to support investment in public ground transportation. It stated that applying VAT for every aircraft movement would raise between £79 million and £623 million per year.
“Private jets are hugely damaging to the environment and are the preserve of the super-rich,” said CfBT director of external affairs Norman Baker. “We think it’s about time these individuals started paying for the damage their flights cause and the proceeds used to help improve public transport up and down the country.”
The group claims that private jets are between 5 and 14 times more polluting than commercial flights and 50 times more polluting than trains. It also stated that the UK is responsible for 19 percent of emissions from private jets in Europe.
The British Business and General Aviation Association was approached to comment. During 2022, environmental groups have been <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2022-11-11/european-protestors-block-business-aviation-airports">stepping up campaigns</a> for increased taxes on private aviation, and, in some cases, bans on short flights.

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

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The Campaign for Better Transport also wants UK commercial business aircraft operators to lose their exemption from value-added tax.

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