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

Indiana’s Gary/Chicago International Airport (KGYY) has purchased nearby Griffith-Merrillville Airport (05C), a privately owned general aviation airfield in Lake County, for $1.8 million. The transaction—in process since late last year—was funded via KGYY’s locally generated revenue.
“We are excited to acquire this local airport and bolster our short- and long-term aviation offerings,” said GCIA Authority chairman Pete Visclosky. “This past decade of strong planning, investments, and growth of our airport has put us in a position where we can acquire this new asset, helping sustain our local aviation offerings while building for the future as well.”
05C features a 4,900-foot runway and can handle aircraft with a dual wheel load of up to 50,000 pounds. It was completely rebuilt in 2001 and offers more than 175,000 sq ft of ramp area and a modern 38,000-sq-ft terminal. Griffith Aviation, the lone FBO, will remain privately operated. According to the GCIA, the purchase will provide operational flexibility and open avenues for future infrastructure improvements at 05C.
“Griffith-Merrillville is a key reliever airport in the Indiana Aviation System,” explained Marty Blake, director of the state’s Department of Transportation. “GCIA’s acquisition will allow for continued partnership with our office to improve facilities at Griffith/Merrillville and will reinforce the $21 million regional annual economic impact this airport provides.”

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

Gary/Chicago International Airport Purchases Griffith-Merrillville Airport

Griffith-Merrillville Airport offers a 4,900-foot runway and a modern terminal

Indiana’s Gary/Chicago International Airport (KGYY) has purchased a nearby privately owned reliever airport for $1.8 million.

Indiana's KGYY Acquires Nearby Reliever Airport

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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.

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.

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.

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