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

Passengers arriving on flights to the UK will be required to provide proof of a negative Covid test taken up to 72 hours before departure time. The measure, which was announced&nbsp;on January 8, will go into force at some point next week, according to transport secretary Grant Shapps.

 


Pilots are exempt from the requirement, which also applies to all international arrivals into the country by train or ship. The announcement covered arrivals to airports in England, but the Scottish government has introduced an identical requirement, and authorities in Wales and Northern Ireland are expected to follow suit.

 


Even with proof of a negative test result, arriving passengers from countries except those on the UK’s limited (and ever-changing) "travel corridor"&nbsp;list of countries will still be required to self-isolate at a fixed address for 10 days. There is an option to shorten this period by paying to have another test done after five days.

 


Following the January 6 imposition of tougher lockdown rules in the UK, all non-essential travel is prohibited. In an effort to control the spread of new strains of the Coronavirus, the UK has also banned all arrivals from multiple southern African countries.

 


The introduction of a test requirement for arriving passengers has been demanded by health experts since the early stages of the pandemic. The Department of Transport has been accused of being slow to introduce an adequate provision for testing departing passengers and knowing the Covid status of those arriving.

 


The UK’s Board of Airline Representatives said it welcomed the new testing requirements provided they are only used as a temporary measure. “It is vital that the lockdown period is utilized to develop a well-coordinated path towards easing travel restrictions at the earliest opportunity once the threat recedes, in particular, the requirement to self-isolate for 10 days after arrival in the UK and to review the ‘Test and Release’ option after 5 days,” said the group’s chief executive Dale Keller.

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.

UK Requires Negative Covid Test for Arriving Passengers

Starting next week, passengers, but not flight crew, will be required to provide a negative result from a Covid test taken within 72 hours of departure.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kaleyesus Bekele

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

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.

Industry group presses for regulatory progress and continuity across the continent 

African Bizav Strives for Greater Market Opportunity

Amy Wilder

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.

Rule would not apply to insulin-treated diabetes

FAA Proposes Easing Medical Approvals for Diabetic Pilots

Kerry Lynch

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.

More In Regulations and Government

African Bizav Strives for Greater Market Opportunity

Industry group presses for regulatory progress and continuity across the continent

FAA Proposes Easing Medical Approvals for Diabetic Pilots

Rule would not apply to insulin-treated diabetes

Congress OKs Stopgap Government Funding Measure

Move averts potential shutdown

Longtime Bizav Attorney Gary Garofalo Flies West

His career spanned more than five and a half decades

New Treasury Rule Limits LLC Information Reporting

The revision relaxes some provisions of the Corporate Transparency Act

Nancy Kassebaum, Architect of GA Product Liability Reform, Dies

Kassebaum pushed through the General Aviation Revitalization Act

Nav Canada Increases ATC Service Charges

Increased fees are to recover pandemic shortfall

FAA InFO Outlines CVR Upgrade Deadlines

Larger new bizav aircraft face 2027 deadline, while small new turbine bizav aircraft have 2029 deadline

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