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.

Senior Editor

Curt Epstein

Colorado’s Pitkin County has issued final approval for the renewal of Atlantic Aviation as the sole source provider at Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (KASE), capping a process that has lasted more than a year and a half since the FBO mega-chain was selected as the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2023-04-17/atlantic-aviation-wins-rfp-aspen-pitkin-county-airport">winner</a> of the airport’s RFP process.
During that span, there was heated discussion from the local community about what direction the airport should take, but the matter was settled late last week after the conclusion of a public comment period on the decision and a final vote by the county board of commissioners.
As a result, Atlantic was awarded a <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-11-07/atlantic-aviation-gets-leasehold-approval-aspen">30-year lease</a> on the FBO with the provision of $136.5 million in capital improvements over that span, in addition to an estimated $880 million in rent, fees, and charges paid to the county, bringing the total commitment of the deal to a projected $1.15 billion. Included among the final lease points was a 25% discount from the fuel retail price for locally-based aircraft operators and those on the waitlist.
“This has been a productive and thorough process between Atlantic Aviation and Pitkin County staff who have worked to ensure that the values of our community are reflected in every aspect of this lease,” explained county manager Jon Peacock. “The commitment to transparency, sustainability, and collaboration has been instrumental in achieving this milestone.”

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

Atlantic Aviation‘s Aspen Lease Finally Reaches the Finish Line

FBO chain's 30-year commitment reaches more than $1 billion

Atlantic Aviation's FBO lease renewal at Aspen-Pitkin County Airport finally crosses the finish line.

Atlantic Aviation‘s Aspen Lease Finally Reaches Finish

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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

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.

Airport last owned the facility in the early 2000s

Illinois Airport Reacquires Sole Service Provider

The complex is viewed as the cornerstone of an aviation conglomerate

Major Las Vegas Hangar Complex Changes Hands

Projects totaled more than $5 million in infrastructure development

Oklahoma Airport Gets More Hangars, Upgraded Ramp

The facility will lean heavily towards sustainability

Clay Lacy Aviation Starts Construction on New KSNA FBO

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

In this article

Atlantic Aviation

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Illinois Airport Reacquires Sole Service Provider

Airport last owned the facility in the early 2000s

Major Las Vegas Hangar Complex Changes Hands

The complex is viewed as the cornerstone of an aviation conglomerate

Oklahoma Airport Gets More Hangars, Upgraded Ramp

Projects totaled more than $5 million in infrastructure development

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The facility will lean heavily towards sustainability

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The decision is the latest in a nearly two-year saga at the airport

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Construction is expected to begin next year

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