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

The 2013 Paris Air Show is on track to be the one of the highest-value air shows ever in terms of new business announcements. A brief analysis by AIN showed that by the end of yesterday sales on the civil side alone had already topped $165 billion. This total covered airliners, helicopters, business aircraft and engines, but excluded any associated service contracts. It included a lot of as-yet unconfirmed options and commitments, but AIN did exclude any previously announced business (where the customer identity had simply been confirmed).


Deadly rivals Boeing and Airbus were neck-and-neck in the deal-making Olympics before the show, with around $55 billion worth of contracts each. Then, late yesterday afternoon, Singapore Airlines confirmed a $14.2 billion contract for 30 A350-900s plus options for 20 more. For Boeing, one of the biggest-ticket items was provisional orders for its new 787-10 widebody, which was officially launched here on Tuesday. Officially, this does not yet have a price tag but some have valued the launch commitments at almost $30 billion.


The biggest deals of the day came from the engine sector with CFM International taking its show total to just above $15 billion, with orders from Ryanair, TUI and the CIT leasing group. Rolls-Royce won $1.1 billion in turbofan sales for the Air France-KLM A350s, plus another $800 million from the Sri Lankan Airlines deal. International Aero Engines has done almost $1 billion of business this week.


Among regional airliner makers, Embraer has topped the rankings, largely thanks to provisional business for its just launched E-Jets E2 family. This took projected spending for its portfolio during show week to $18.7 billion. ATR, which yesterday sold 20 ATR72-600s to leasing group HGI, announced almost $2.6 billion in new business, including a firm order for 35 ATRs from Nordic Aviation Capital.


Bombardier has also had a profitable time in the French capital, but largely on the business aircraft side where it logged just over $1.8 billion in new sales. AgustaWestland had a string of new helicopter sales, valued by AIN at roughly $430 million.

Airbus Edges Ahead as Show Deals Top $165 billion

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Paris Air Show 2013

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