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

Japanese parking lot and car-sharing operator Park24 plans to develop vertiports for eVTOL aircraft operations with advanced air mobility (AAM) ground infrastructure group Skyports. Under a memorandum of understanding announced on May 27, the companies will explore how vertiports could be integrated with Park24’s existing facilities in the Kansai region of Japan.
The collaboration also involves insurance firm Aioi Nissay Dowa and Japanese trading company Kanematsu Corporation, which is an investor in <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-03-23/japans-kanematsu-group-leads-23-million-series-b-funding-round-skyports">UK-based Skyports </a>and has been working with it on AAM plans since April 2020. Aioi Nissay Dowa intends to provide insurance cover for the new ground infrastructure required for the air taxi services that are set to launch in Japan, starting in Osaka, in 2025.
In May 2021, the Osaka Prefecture government asked Skyports to help develop&nbsp;infrastructure and drone delivery services for the so-called Osaka Prefecture Super City. The company was selected as one of five&nbsp;contributing organizations for Osaka Prefecture’s “Green Table,” a collaborative roundtable platform launched to accelerate the commercialization of advanced air mobility. Local officials want to see initial eVTOL operations available in time for the Osaka-Kansai World Expo in 2025.
Skyports is already working with several eVTOL aircraft developers on plans for ground infrastructure. These include <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-04-11/wisk-and-skyports-issue-concept-operations-autonomous-evtol-aircraft">Wisk Aero</a>, <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-02-18/skyports-and-eve-start-work-evtol-concept-operations-japan">Eve</a>, and Volocopter.
In South Korea, Skyports is partnered with local company <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2021-06-03/skyports-and-hanwha-team-develop-vertiports-south-korea">Hanwha Systems</a>. It has other vertiport planning projects underway in various U.S. cities and such other&nbsp;locations as <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2021-11-30/paris-vertiport-prepares-open-evtol-flight-trials">Paris</a>, London, and Singapore.
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Charles Alcock

Skyports works with eVTOL aircraft developers and local partners to develop vertiports. (Image: Skyports)

Japanese Parking Lots Could Be Launch Pads for eVTOL Air Taxis

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