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

Private aircraft operators heading to New Orleans this weekend for the Super Bowl will face the same types of special event fees that have become standard in Las Vegas and other places. With the event traditionally one of the largest magnets for business jets, a slot system to <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-01-17/faa-gearing-super-bowl-traffic">regulate traffic</a> in the area has been in place since Thursday morning, leading FBO operators to pass along the extra costs associated with the increased activity—as well as maximize profits—from their limited slots. Additionally, the individual airports may demand a cut to recoup their added expenses.
Signature Aviation now lists its special event fee schedules on its <a href="https://lp.signatureflight.com/travel-alerts">website</a>. At Louis Armstrong International Airport (KMSY), the company is charging special event surcharges ranging from $17,890 for an ultra-long-range jet to $4,100 for a light turboprop, in addition to standard handling fees.
Atlantic Aviation—which operates the other FBO at the field—is varying its <a href="https://gateway.atlanticaviation.com/Fees/MSY">pricing</a> during this period based on arrival date and aircraft type. As an example, a Bombardier Global 7500 arriving at its KMSY facility on Saturday would be assessed a special event fee of more than $30,000 in addition to a facility fee, security fee, parking fee, and possible hangarage.
At Lakefront Airport (KNEW), which is the closest airfield to the game venue, Signature’s special event fee is $13,400 for an ultra-long-range jet such as a Gulfstream G650. Flightline First—the independent FBO at KNEW—is instituting a $16,000 special event fee for the largest business jets.
Company president Pierre&nbsp;Villere told AIN that larger business jets constitutes the bulk of the reservations at the facility this weekend. He explained that the airport’s location inside the TFR on game day entails enhanced security logistics, and he has brought in additional staff and equipment such as extra refuelers and shuttle vehicles to accommodate what he anticipates to be nonstop activity until Monday. He also acknowledged that the laws of market demand play a role in the pricing, with the traffic generated by the event presenting an uncommon bounty for local businesses.
At Slidell Airport (KASD), which has very limited parking, a $1,000 event landing fee is in effect, along with a parking fee that is waived with fuel purchase. Port of South Louisiana Executive Regional Airport (KAPS) is charging a $2,600 event fee, inclusive of everything except fuel.
Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (KBTR) is a little more than 50 miles from New Orleans, and Signature’s event fees there range from $6,700 for a “super heavy jet” down to $1,300 for a piston single. BTR Jet Center, another FBO at KBTR, is imposing a flat $3,000 event fee this weekend.
Further afield, Signature’s pricing for this weekend at Lafayette Regional Airport (KLFT) tops out at $4,330 for a bizliner.
The service providers at Hammond Northshore Airport (KHDC) were either too busy or reluctant to discuss special event fees. While Top Gun Aviation did not respond, a representative of Pierce Aviation ended the call when AIN inquired about special event fee information.

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