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

South Korea’s SK Telecom (SKT) is making a $100 million equity investment in Joby Aviation, building on a partnership it started with the eVTOL aircraft developer last year. The companies announced the agreement on June 29 but said it was signed two days earlier before its <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-06-27/joby-rolls-out-first-production-prototype-evtol-air-taxi">roll-out ceremony</a> for the first production-conforming prototype on June 28.
The new funding will support Joby’s participation with SKT in the Korea Urban Air Mobility (K-UAM) Grand Challenge to prepare the way for the start of eVTOL air services in the Asian country. The program is supported by the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport.
In a June 27 Securities and Exchange Commission <a href="https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001819848/000181984823000255/joby-20230627.htm">8K filing</a>, Joby reported that in a private placement it has sold just over 15 million shares to SKT at a per-share price of $6.65. Joby's stock on the New York Stock Exchange closed at a price of $8.96 on June 28.
California-based Joby first signed a collaboration agreement with SKT in February 2022 and then expanded this in May 2022 to include <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-05-04/joby-welcomes-koreas-tmap-ridesharing-service-partnership-sk-telecom">mobility platform TMAP</a>. Major South Korean companies <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-03-30/hyundai-adds-estol-regional-aircraft-its-supernal-evtol-plans">Hyundai Motor</a> and <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-06-14/hanwha-boosts-backing-overairs-butterfly-evtol-aircraft-145-million">Hanwha</a> are closely involved in the new sector as major investors, respectively, in eVTOL developers Supernal and Overair.
“We will do our utmost to promote the demonstration and commercialization of urban air mobility in Korea, based on our partnership with Joby Aviation,” commented Ryu Young-sang, CEO of SKT. “This technology promises to greatly reduce customers travel time and we look forward to turning Korea into a mobility powerhouse.”
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Charles Alcock

Joby Aviation CEO Joe-Ben Bevirt and Ryu Young-sang, CEO of SK Telecom first announced their collaboration in February 2022, and now the Korean company is investing $100 million in Joby's eVTOL aircraft. (Image: Joby Aviation)

SK Telecom Makes $100 Million Investment In Joby's eVTOL Aircraft

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN