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

Writer

Charles Alcock

Charlotte Bailey

The European business aviation community may have to wait until September to learn whether the European Union General Court considers the industry to be “an environmentally sustainable economic activity.” That is what is at stake in a case filed by Dassault Aviation and the EBAA to challenge the European Commission’s exclusion of the sector from its EU Taxonomy in a move the plaintiffs say is discriminatory and makes it harder to invest in decarbonization efforts.
Judges in Luxembourg started hearing the case on February 10, and this process is expected to run for up to six months. EBAA is determined to reverse the Commission’s ruling to avoid a precedent in which one part of the aviation industry can be—in the words of the group’s director of public affairs and communications, Róman Kok—“carved out” and treated as “sacrificial lambs.”
Attorneys Jacques Derenne and Dimitris Vallindas, with EBAA’s law firm Sheppard, appeared at the group’s members conference near Brussels on March 19. They spelled out the dangers of business aviation remaining outside the EU Taxonomy, which is widely used in the finance sector to determine activities that are deemed worthy of investment and funding.
Vallindas explained that the Commission views business aviation as mainly being used for leisure travel and that such trips could easily be replaced with other modes of transport. He and his colleague are disputing this contention and other points that it considers “legally erroneous.”
The lawyers accused the Commission of failing to accept that the majority of Europe’s airports have no scheduled airline services. They have pushed back hard on the notion that business aviation is not predominantly used for business purposes, giving the example of Dassault Falcon aircraft ordered by the French Navy for “public interest” missions such as maritime patrol.
“Because they insisted so much on the alleged leisure objective, we thought it totally right to tell them that it’s actually commercial aviation which is used mostly for leisure purposes,” Vallindas said. “If it was the main reason to exclude business aviation, it should also work against commercial aviation.”

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

EU Court Set to Rule on Business Aviation's Sustainability Status

EU Court to decide if industry is “an environmentally sustainable economic activity."

EU Court to decide if business aviation is “an environmentally sustainable economic activity."

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Curt Epstein

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

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.

The California FBO/MRO wants to grow sustainably

Desert Jet Partners with 4Air on Sustainability Efforts

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.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

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.

Deliveries of all-electric trainer to start by early 2027

Bristell B23 Energic Selects Safran EngineUs Electric Motor 

Electric aircraft developer has now raised almost $400 million 

Aura Aero Secures €50 million in Series B Funding Round

Matt Thurber

Testing showed promising results for reducing time to deployment

Airbus Firefighting System Networks Variety of Vehicles

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

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.

UK's Project Sonata is working towards a demonstration

Electric Drives Could Cut Carbon From Airliner Taxiing

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

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

Passenger levy had been due to start for flights booked from April 1

Singapore Delays SAF Levy Due to Jet-A Price Spike

Amy Wilder

Program evaluates flight departments on environmental responsibility efforts

4Air To Support NBAA Sustainability Accreditation

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

European Spotlight with Aero Friedrichshafen 2026

More In Sustainability and Environment