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

Inventory of preowned business jets is now 4.8 percent of the in-service fleet, according to the latest monthly report by Jefferies Equity Research, but remains 67 percent below the August 2009 peak.
Last month, there were 1,116 jets for sale versus 922 in April 2023. For young aircraft—those less than seven years old—there was a 27 percent increase year-over-year (YOY), to 3.7 percent of the active fleet.
Midsize jets on the market were up 31 percent YOY, followed by light jets (+28 percent) and heavy/large-cabin jets (+16 percent). Among the major OEMs, all had rising inventory—with the exception of Embraer, which saw its available aircraft decline by 19 percent, to 29 jets.
The report also noted that average used jet pricing declined by 2 percent YOY but rose by 1 percent month-over-month.&nbsp;U.S. business jet activity was down 5 percent YOY in January—the most recent month reported by the FAA—but remains 6.6 percent above 2019 levels.&nbsp;
In Europe, business jet flying was slightly more active, with traffic up 3.9 percent YOY in February 2024—the most recent reported month—and up 8.1 percent from 2019 levels. “We tend to believe this environment bodes well for business jets,” the report stated, “as there continues to be a perception of risk surrounding commercial air travel, which has been supportive of the quick recovery for business jet traffic.”
For the year, Jefferies forecasts new-production business jet delivery growth of 19 percent, spurred by service entry of <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-03-29/globe-girdling-gulfstream-g700-gets-faa-greenlight">Gulfstream’s new flagship G700</a> and the ramp-up of <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2023-12-04/first-falcon-6x-enters-service">Falcon 6X</a> manufacturing at Dassault.

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

Investment Firm Jefferies Sees Used Jet Inventory on the Rise

The current inventory is still well below recent peaks

The used business jet inventory is now 4.8% of the fleet, according to Jefferies Equity Research, but remains 67% below the peak set in August 2009.

Used Jet Inventories on the Rise: Jefferies

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Amy Wilder

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.

Europe posts second consecutive year-over-year decline

Argus: North America Bizav Flying Up as Demand Softens

Pre-tax earnings for service group climb 20.6%

NetJets, FlightSafety Revenue Rises in First-half 2026

Hanneke Weitering

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 and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Financing supports Eco Caravan certification and hybrid-electric APU development

Ampaire Raises $19 Million for Hybrid-electric Airplanes

Kerry Lynch

Moody's assigned a Ba2 credit rating, up from Ba3, while maintaining a positive outlook

Moody's Upgrades Bombardier as Balance Sheet Improves

Matt Thurber

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

More In Finance, Taxes, Insurance

Argus: North America Bizav Flying Up as Demand Softens

Europe posts second consecutive year-over-year decline

NetJets, FlightSafety Revenue Rises in First-half 2026

Pre-tax earnings for service group climb 20.6%

Ampaire Raises $19 Million for Hybrid-electric Airplanes

Financing supports Eco Caravan certification and hybrid-electric APU development

Moody's Upgrades Bombardier as Balance Sheet Improves

Moody's assigned a Ba2 credit rating, up from Ba3, while maintaining a positive outlook

PlaneWX Pilots Save with 5X5 Insurance Safety Rewards

Decision support system helps pilots assess risks up to 14 days ahead of planned flight

Beta Is Turning Its eVTOL Competitors into Customers

Component sales boosted Beta’s second-quarter revenue

Vertical Extends Cash Runway with Fresh eVTOL Funding

UK group says it will complete Valo eVTOL’s critical design review this year

IADA Panel: Financing Has Evolved Beyond a Buying Tool

Buyers urged to seek guidance, consider financing before finding an aircraft

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN