A lifelong aviation enthusiast who joined&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;in 2007, Curt came to&nbsp;the publication&nbsp;from the broadcast industry where he was a national science and technology television reporter and producer. He writes on the FBO field, aviation finance, and sustainable aviation and occasionally contributes to&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;sister publication&nbsp;Business Jet Traveler. Curt was a member of the AINtv reporting staff that won the 2008 Aerospace Journalist of the Year award for Best Airshow Daily. That same year, he was a finalist for another AJOYA award. He earned an AJOYA for Best Business Aviation Submission in 2018 and was a finalist in that category in 2021. He received the National Air Transportation Association’s&nbsp; Aviation Journalist Award in 2012 and won a Pegasus Sapphire Business Aviation Award for outstanding journalism in 2021.
Before joining AIN, Curt worked with&nbsp;Consumer Reports’ television division, CRTV, and for several local television news staffs. An honors graduate of the State University of New York at Stony Brook, he earned a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from Boston University in 1995. Curt lives in New York State with his wife and two young sons.

Senior Editor

Curt Epstein

Efforts to build a fourth runway at North Carolina’s Charlotte Douglas International Airport (KCLT) received a big boost this week when the FAA announced it allocated $290 million in Airport Improvement Program funding to the development.
Ground was broken on the $1 billion-plus project in 2023 and, according to the airport, it was already fully funded by general airport revenue bonds and passenger facility charge revenue.&nbsp;An airport spokesperson noted that federal participation will enable KCLT to use less local funding and free up funds for other critical projects. In addition to the fourth runway, the grant will also help fund the completion of the north and south end areas around taxiways and other airfield improvements.
The new 10,000-foot Runway 1C/19C will allow KCLT to expand operations upon its completion in the second half of 2027. According to the FAA, the airport has the highest share of connecting airline passengers in the U.S. Construction of a fourth runway will decrease the chance of delays at the airport which could create system-wide impacts for passengers.
“The FAA and the Biden-Harris administration are committed to ensuring the safest and most stress-free experience for travelers possible,” said Shannetta Griffin, the agency’s associate administrator for airports. “This fourth runway delivers on both—not only for travelers in and out of Charlotte but for those flying from the nearly 200 cities with routes to KCLT.”

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

Charlotte Airport's Fourth Runway Project Gets AIP Funding Boost

The 10,000-foot runway is expected to be operational by the end of 2027

North Carolina’s Charlotte Douglas International Airport received a boost this week when the FAA allocated AIP funding to its new runway project.

Charlotte Airport Runway Project Gets AIP Funding Boost

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News, issues, personnel, equipment and developments about air traffic management.

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.

Parking times will be reduced and slot delays of at least an hour should be expected

Operators Warned over Summer Restrictions in Athens

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

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.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Applications for Powered by Collins program close on May 16

Collins Seeks Collaboration on Materials, Airport Ops and Navigation

Hanneke Weitering

Vertiport network would support eVTOL air taxi and drone operations in the UAE

Skyports Reveals Proposed Design for Abu Dhabi Vertiports

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 bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

PRS Aeroportos and VertiMob Infrastructure are supporting Eve Air Mobility

Eve and Vertiport Partners Start eVTOL Sandbox Exercise in Brazil

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

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.

More In Airports

Operators Warned over Summer Restrictions in Athens

Parking times will be reduced and slot delays of at least an hour should be expected

Collins Seeks Collaboration on Materials, Airport Ops and Navigation

Applications for Powered by Collins program close on May 16

Skyports Reveals Proposed Design for Abu Dhabi Vertiports

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UK Government Extends London Airport Night Noise Limits

Long-delayed decisions on capacity expansion for Heathrow, Gatwick, and Luton are expected soon

Record Snowfall Leaves More Gulf Coast Airports Reeling

Unexpected blizzard strikes locations without snow handling options

Bizjet Movements Rise 24% in Saudi Arabia

Hubs at Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam stand out for activity

Airports Along U.S. Gulf Coast Close Amid Winter Storm

Texas, Louisiana airports issuing unprecedented closures due to winter weather

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