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

Helicopter charter booking service Ascent is in talks with multiple eVTOL aircraft developers about possible partnerships to support their use for urban air mobility air taxi services. The Singapore-based company, which views electric aircraft as a key step in making the air charter sector more environmentally sustainable, also announced this week that it has committed to the United Nations Carbon Neutral Now pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As part of that effort, Ascent will support carbon offsetting programs to compensate for emissions from rideshare flights booked.
Ascent founder and CEO Lionel Sinai-Sinelnikoff&nbsp;told&nbsp;FutureFlight&nbsp;that the company is in discussions with eVTOL developers in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Based on these discussions, it believes commercial eVTOL operations could be ready to start in Asia during 2025. “We look forward to welcoming the interest of entities to join our ecosystem and partner with us to contribute to the entry of low-emission eVTOLs and will work with them at a pace aligned to their expected timelines and goals,”&nbsp;Sinai-Sinelnikoff&nbsp;commented.
The company measures the carbon footprint of each flight it books using the International Civil Aviation Organization methodology to calculate carbon emissions per aircraft and per passenger, including ground transportation associated with these trips. It then compensates for these emissions through payments to certified Clean Development Mechanism projects approved by the UN.
Privately-owned Ascent was founded in 2018 and books flights with a network of approved helicopter operators across Southeast Asia. It recently added Philippines-based INAEC Aviation to its network and this company recently ordered a new eight-seat SH09 single from Swiss manufacturer Kopter.
“Ascent is built to democratize urban air mobility by selling flights on a ride-sharing basis with smart aircraft allocation and optimized routes,” said&nbsp;Sinai-Sinelnikoff. “This means that for each flight, users are pooled and fly on specific aircraft and routes that meet the operational requirements while taking other factors like flight time, cost and carbon footprint into account.”
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Charles Alcock

Helicopter booking service Ascent was founded in 2018 and books flights with a network of approved helicopter operators across Southeast Asia.

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