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

Private aircraft charter rates dropped by 5% year-over-year in the first quarter, according to online charter marketplace JetASAP’s latest activity report. Quarter-over-quarter, hourly rates were down an average of 7% this year.
While pricing for turboprops and light jets remained stable between February and March at $4,373 and $7,020 per hour, respectively, average pricing for midsize jets declined by 2%, to $8,672, followed by super-midsize at -3% ($9,930), and heavy jets at -10 percent ($13,208).
Some example quotes given through the JetASAP application platform in March included Philadelphia to Miami on an Embraer 300E for $17,661; Palm Beach to New York (Bombardier Challenger 604) for $17,000; Aspen to Miami (Dassault Falcon 2000) for $32,395; Las Vegas to New York (Gulfstream GIV-SP) for $32,020; and Indianapolis to Aspen (Cessna Citation XLS+) for $22,137.
“Overall, 53% of quotes received by flyers via the JetASAP app come in at or below the average hourly rates from charter operators across the U.S. and Canada,” said JetASAP founder and CEO Lisa Sayer.

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

Online Charter Marketplace JetASAP Sees Hourly Rates Erosion in 1Q2024

Between February and March, large-cabin jet charter prices experienced the biggest decline

Private aircraft charter rates dropped by five percent year-over-year in the first quarter according to online charter marketplace JetASAP’s Q1 activity report. 

Online Charter Marketplace Sees Hourly Rates Dip

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

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 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-based group is adding a pair of Bombardier Global 8000 jets, plus a 6500

Middle East and Africa Fuel Comlux’s Charter Growth

Matt Thurber

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Lack of rental engines is a focus of the complaint

ATI Jet Lawsuit Alleges Hourly Service Plan Setbacks

The Hong Kong-based operator now has almost 50 business aircraft

China’s Sino Jet Expands Charter Fleet with Second G700

Jessica Reed

Program launches with HondaJet HA-420 and Bombardier Challenger 3500

Honda Aircraft Unit Backs Thrive Fractional Jet Program

Amy Wilder

Elite Jets, MaxAir keep names, add Priester co-brand

Priester Aviation Unifies Companies under One Brand

Program lets non-members compare pricing before booking

BlueSky Extends Pricing Access to Non-members

Hourly rates range from turboprops to VIP airliners

Paramount Business Jets Guide Details 2026 Charter Rates

Kerry Lynch

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.

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