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.

Business Aviation Services Editor

Curt Epstein

A recent report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicts worldwide unblended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production will top 2 million tonnes (660 million gallons) this year. That still equates to less than 1% of the airlines’ total fuel consumption for the year.
“While it is encouraging that SAF production is expected to double to 2 million tonnes in 2025, that is just 0.7% of aviation’s total fuel needs,” said IATA director general Willie Walsh, adding that even that minuscule amount will add $4.4 billion to customers’ fuel cost. “The pace of progress in ramping up production and gaining efficiencies to reduce costs must accelerate.”
The report noted that most SAF is now being directed to Europe, which saw the widespread introduction of SAF use mandates at the beginning of the year. In response to the imposed mandates and associated compliance fees, IATA stated that the cost of SAF to air carriers there has doubled, making it up to five times more costly than jet-A.
“This highlights the problem with the implementation of mandates before there are sufficient conditions and before safeguards are in place against unreasonable market practices that raise the cost of decarbonization,” said Walsh. “Europe needs to realize that its approach is not working and find another way.”
He called attention to three areas where governmental action is required: creating more effective policies like subsidies to support the growth of SAF; ensuring proper allocation of renewable energy production to SAF; and accepting Corsia as the sole market-based program to address international aviation’s CO2 emissions.

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.

With SAF Prices in Europe Soaring, IATA Urges Change

SAF output still not enough to meet needs

With the price of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) climbing as production increases lag, IATA is calling for policy changes in Europe.

IATA Report Urges SAF Policy Changes

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Gordon Gilbert

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.

Move is a ‘crucial step forward’ in improving aviation safety

ALPA Applauds Advancement of Aviation Mental Health Act

Notice puts limits on how AI can be used at the FAA

FAA Sets Interim AI Policy for Agency  Personnel

The fee increases will go into effect July 1

Bizav Fees at Australia’s Sydney Airport Set to Soar

Matt Thurber

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.

After July 7, pilots, mechanics, and other airmen will be subject to enforcement action

Deadline Near for FAA Certificate Holders Outside U.S.

Kerry Lynch

Commerce Committee questioned Bedford on safety, privatization, 1,500-hour rule, and spectrum

FAA Nominee Bedford Calls for Focus First on ATC Upgrade

Charles Alcock

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

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.

2,500 aerospace and defense exhibitors from 48 countries are booked for June 16 to 22 show

Paris Show To Open with Complex Geopolitical Backdrop

Mark Huber

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

Government alleges misappropriation of funds

AeroVanti CEO Indicted on Federal Fraud Charges

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

More In Regulations and Government

ALPA Applauds Advancement of Aviation Mental Health Act

Move is a ‘crucial step forward’ in improving aviation safety

FAA Sets Interim AI Policy for Agency  Personnel

Notice puts limits on how AI can be used at the FAA

Bizav Fees at Australia’s Sydney Airport Set to Soar

The fee increases will go into effect July 1

Deadline Near for FAA Certificate Holders Outside U.S.

After July 7, pilots, mechanics, and other airmen will be subject to enforcement action

FAA Nominee Bedford Calls for Focus First on ATC Upgrade

Commerce Committee questioned Bedford on safety, privatization, 1,500-hour rule, and spectrum

Paris Show To Open with Complex Geopolitical Backdrop

2,500 aerospace and defense exhibitors from 48 countries are booked for June 16 to 22 show

AeroVanti CEO Indicted on Federal Fraud Charges

Government alleges misappropriation of funds

Ex-Hansen Helicopters CEO Sentenced to 33 Years

CEO was found guilty of fraud related to unapproved aircraft parts

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN

More In Regulations and Government

ALPA Applauds Advancement of Aviation Mental Health Act

Move is a ‘crucial step forward’ in improving aviation safety

FAA Sets Interim AI Policy for Agency Personnel

Notice puts limits on how AI can be used at the FAA

Bizav Fees at Australia’s Sydney Airport Set to Soar

The fee increases will go into effect July 1

Deadline Near for FAA Certificate Holders Outside U.S.

After July 7, pilots, mechanics, and other airmen will be subject to enforcement action

FAA Nominee Bedford Calls for Focus First on ATC Upgrade

Commerce Committee questioned Bedford on safety, privatization, 1,500-hour rule, and spectrum

Paris Show To Open with Complex Geopolitical Backdrop

2,500 aerospace and defense exhibitors from 48 countries are booked for June 16 to 22 show

AeroVanti CEO Indicted on Federal Fraud Charges

Government alleges misappropriation of funds

Ex-Hansen Helicopters CEO Sentenced to 33 Years

CEO was found guilty of fraud related to unapproved aircraft parts

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN

FAA Sets Interim AI Policy for Agency  Personnel