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

Osprey Flight Solutions is set to expand the scope of its aviation risk management business, having secured more than £40 million ($54 million) in fresh funding from technology growth capital group Level Equity. Announcing the transaction yesterday, the UK-based group said it is investing to boost its capabilities in using generative artificial intelligence (AI) to provide predictive security guidance for airlines and other aircraft operators.
According to Osprey CEO Andrew Nicholson, the aviation industry’s risk management needs are quickly evolving in response to exceptional geopolitical instability. As examples of heightened concerns for aircraft operators, he pointed to threats such as Russian military action, the confiscation of assets, and the ramifications of last month’s Canadian court ruling that found Ukrainian Airlines liable for the destruction of its <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2020-01-11/ukraine-international-airlines-demands-full-investigation">Flight PS752</a> by the Iranian military after takeoff from Tehran in January 2020.
With the new investment, Osprey said it is better placed to provide more support to clients such as insurance companies. “The world is becoming more unstable, and insurers need to understand what might transpire [from flight operations],” Nicholson told AIN, adding that C-suite level management at aviation companies now needs to have a much firmer grasp of how risks might impact not only duty of care responsibilities for day-to-day operations but also wider strategic considerations.
<h2>Generative AI Needs the Right Data</h2>
Osprey is increasing its use of generative AI to support the production of risk analysis by its experts. Its team is focused on training AI models based on its extensive dataset, using the technology to scale up the capacity of its staff by helping them with repetitive work.
Nicholson warned of the dangers of companies seeking to tap generic AI models to do their own risk analysis. “It’s dangerous to do your own searches because you have no way of knowing whether the answers are right or wrong, and what risks you might have missed,” he cautioned. “The AI is only as good as the data set you train it on.”
Osprey helps clients to consider risks across their entire operation, rather than just focusing on individual flights. Collectively, this provides data that, through a mix of AI-driven research and human expertise, can reveal—for example—how changes in security risks in one location can be driven by seemingly unrelated events in another part of the world.
Following the investment by New York-based Level Equity, Osprey’s original backers, including venture capital group 24Haymarket, will continue to be minority shareholders. The company, which was founded in 2017, has a client list that includes major carriers such as KLM, Virgin Atlantic, and Singapore Airlines, as well as specialist aircraft operators and government agencies. Since 2022, its revenues have increased by around 500%.

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