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

Dubai-based aviation services provider Jetex Flight Support has expanded its FBO network in Europe with the announcement of four new ground handling locations.


In Spain the company makes its debut with three new bases, at Barcelona-El Prat, Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas and Málaga-Costa del Sol Airports. Operating from the general aviation terminal in each instance, the company will provide 24/7 support, including aircraft fueling, ground handling, parking and ramp services. Customs and immigration facilities and hangar space are also available at all three locations.


“Spain is an important player in the European business aviation community, as indicated by a 6.4 percent year-over-year growth in flight departures,” said company CEO and president Adel Mardini. “With the Spanish economy forecasted to grow strongly over the next few years and tourism on the rise, Jetex is positioning itself to provide the highest level of service at these key airports, as private jet traffic increases in the country.”


At all three locations, the company will provide executive and crew lounges, meeting rooms, concierge service; and private car parking will be available in addition to other amenities.


“The addition of the three Spanish ground handling stations fortifies Jetex’s global presence by allowing us to serve clients in key regions of Spain, as well as open gateways to important markets such as North Africa,” noted Yolanda Avalos, FBO manager for Jetex Spain. “With a total of 25 locations in Europe, alone, more private and business aviation clients can now experience the exceptional level of service and quality that defines the Jetex brand.”


Here at EBACE, the company (Booth O88) is celebrating another milestone–its entry into Italy, with the announcement that it won a tender to provide FBO services at Rome’s Ciampino–G. B. Pastine International Airport, the city’s main hub for general aviation. Based at the 1,800 sq m (19,375 sq ft) terminal, the FBO, which is scheduled to begin operations in the second half of the year, will provide a full range of ground support including fueling, ground handling, aircraft parking and ramp services. Ground transfer, flight support and concierge services will also be available both at the location or via the company’s operations centers in Dubai, Miami and Beijing.


“Opening an FBO in Rome represents an important strategic step in expanding our presence in Europe,” noted Mardini. “The city’s central geographical location, together with its importance as the country’s political and financial capital, makes it the ideal location to establish our first FBO in Italy.”

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