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

Airbus expects continuing shortages of Pratt &amp; Whitney PW1100G-JM geared turbofan (GTF) engines to impede efforts to increase production of its A320 airliners. During a press conference in Toulouse on Thursday to report 2025 results, the European aerospace group’s CEO, Guillaume Faury, said it is now taking action to “enforce its contractual rights” with the U.S. engine maker.
According to Faury, Pratt &amp; Whitney is still prioritizing GTF manufacturing to support maintenance, repair, and overhaul support for in-service narrowbodies at the expense of new A320 production. Airbus has demanded that engine production rates recover in 2027, but said the ongoing supply-chain problem is negatively impacting its guidance for 2026 production rates. It now aims to achieve a monthly production rate of 70 to 75 aircraft by the end of next year.
“We have a contract with our friends from Pratt &amp; Whitney, but they are not respecting our contractual rights, so we have begun a process to resolve this,” Faury told reporters. “We are very frustrated that they have committed more [to support] the installed base of aircraft, and we are negotiating with them to change this.”
During 2025, Airbus delivered 793 commercial aircraft and logged 889 new orders, after cancellations, which represented a slight increase from 2024. Group-wide revenues, including defense, rotorcraft, and space activities, increased by 6% to total €73.4 billion (about $86.2 billion), with adjusted EBIT earnings at €7.1 billion.
Airbus Helicopters provided some of the most impressive figures in the group’s 2025 results, with adjusted EBIT increasing by 13% to €925 million due to higher deliveries (392 versus 361 in 2024) and growth in income for services. Last year, the business unit booked 536 net new helicopter orders, which was 19% higher than 2024, with the strongest boost in demand coming from military markets.

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Airbus Demands Improvement from Pratt & Whitney on A320 Engine Shortages

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Airbus has maintained conservative guidance over A320 production rates for 2026 due to ongoing shortages of Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engines.

Airbus Presses Pratt & Whitney on A320 Engine Shortages

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

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

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.

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.

Airlines and special-missions applications are in the Dutch start-up’s sights

Conscious Keeps Focus on Hydrogen-powered Dash 8 Aircraft

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

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.

India’s JetSetGo plans to buy up to 50 of the Valo aircraft

Evolito Will Supply Propulsion Units for Vertical eVTOL Aircraft

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

New agreement includes a 12-year maintenance plan

Vietjet Opts for More Pratt & Whitney GTF-Powered A321s

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

In this article

Airbus

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Conscious Keeps Focus on Hydrogen-powered Dash 8 Aircraft

Airlines and special-missions applications are in the Dutch start-up’s sights

Evolito Will Supply Propulsion Units for Vertical eVTOL Aircraft

India’s JetSetGo plans to buy up to 50 of the Valo aircraft

Vietjet Opts for More Pratt & Whitney GTF-Powered A321s

New agreement includes a 12-year maintenance plan

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Work is aimed at developing future narrowbody airliner powertrains

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