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

Christchurch Airport in New Zealand is now equipped with liquid hydrogen fuel tanks as part of preparations for flight testing for a pair of hydrogen-electric aircraft. On October 28, locally-based company Fabrum unveiled its triple-skin composite fuel tank at a new test facility developed in partnership with aircraft manufacturers AMSL Aero and Stralis Aircraft.
Both of the Australian start-ups are going to use Fabrum’s cryogenic dewar vacuum flasks and on-board tanks to store liquid hydrogen. Sydney-based AMSL Aero is developing an aircraft called Vertiia, and has already conducted tethered flights as it prepares to expand the envelope with <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-03-25/amsl-prepares-test-hydrogen-powered-vertiia-evtol-aircraft">a second prototype</a>. Brisbane-based Stralis is seeking to <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2025-04-02/stralis-sources-hydrogen-fuel-tanks-aircraft-conversion">convert existing aircraft</a>, such as the Beech Bonanza, to use its fuel cell-based propulsion system.
This week, Fabrum conducted the first refuelling trials with the facility in Christchurch. This is part of the international airport’s renewable energy “precinct.”
According to Adriano Di Pietro, AMSL Aero’s CEO, the company has been doing ground-based tests with hydrogen for the past 24 months. It has made more than 100 flight tests that were not powered by hydrogen and now expects to start using the fuel with the Vertiia in the second half of 2026.
“Stralis is currently ground testing our hydrogen electric propulsion system on our ground testbed aircraft 'Clyde', at Brisbane International Airport, using gaseous hydrogen,” said the company’s CEO Bob Criner. “The first flight of our Bonanza flight test aircraft “Bonnie” using gaseous hydrogen storage tanks is planned for the first half of 2026.&nbsp;The first flight with liquid hydrogen is planned for the second half of 2026.”
Fabrum’s refuelling infrastructure combines lightweight composite tanks with a hydrogen liquefier. According to Christopher Boyle, the company’s managing director, this is the first time all the elements for a liquid hydrogen refuelling system have been made available at an international airports.
&nbsp;

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

Liquid Hydrogen Fuelling Now On Tap At New Zealand's Christchurch Airport

Local company Fabrum is partnered with electric aircraft developers AMSL Aero and Stralis

Hydrogen-electric aircraft developers AMSL Aero and Stralis now have access to ground and on-board liquid hydrogen fuel tanks developed by New Zealand's Fabrum.

Hydrogen Fuelling Now On Tap At New Zealand's Christchurch Airport

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Chad Trautvetter

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.

U.S. still relies on imported oil from Middle East for jet fuel

World Fuel: U.S. Jet-A Supply at ‘Critical Levels’

Amy Wilder

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

All fuel types showed increases versus March

U.S. Aviation Fuel Prices Rise across the Board

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

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

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.

EASA and Eurocontrol are considering measures to save aircraft fuel 

Safety Guidance May Prompt Shift in Fuel Tankering Rules

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

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.

Charter operators incur sharps spike in fuel costs

AINsight: Fuel Crisis Could Be Tough Test for Bizav

The war with Iran is having lasting effects on aviation.

Aircraft Operators Face Imminent Jet Fuel Shortages Due to Iran War

Curt Epstein

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

More In Fuel

World Fuel: U.S. Jet-A Supply at ‘Critical Levels’

U.S. still relies on imported oil from Middle East for jet fuel

U.S. Aviation Fuel Prices Rise across the Board

All fuel types showed increases versus March

Safety Guidance May Prompt Shift in Fuel Tankering Rules

EASA and Eurocontrol are considering measures to save aircraft fuel

AINsight: Fuel Crisis Could Be Tough Test for Bizav

Charter operators incur sharps spike in fuel costs

Aircraft Operators Face Imminent Jet Fuel Shortages Due to Iran War

The war with Iran is having lasting effects on aviation.

Soaring Jet-A Costs Spur SAF Pricing Questions

Amidst price spike, can SAF pull even?

Titan Aviation Fuels: Europe Facing Fuel Shortages

Company is leveraging new technogies to avert customer impact

WingX: Iran War Drags Bizjet Fuel Uplift to Six-week Low

Global activity down 0.6% YoY in week 14

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN