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

World Kinect, the parent company of World Fuel Services, announced a blockbuster acquisition today with an agreement to purchase Universal Weather and Aviation’s trip support services (TSS) division. According to the company, the deal—expected to close by year-end—is worth approximately $220 million and will include the Universal Weather and Aviation brand name, as well as the agreements Universal has made with third-party ground handlers around the world.
“We’re excited to announce the agreement to acquire Universal Weather’s TSS division, which will significantly expand our trip support services business,” said World Kinect COO John Rau. “This strategic move complements our fuel business and enhances our ability to deliver comprehensive flight operations support—including flight planning, overflight permits, and ground support services—at more than 3,000 airports worldwide.”
The sale of its trip support division leaves Universal with Universal Aviation, its worldwide FBO and ground-handling supervisory network, as well as the Air Culinaire in-flight catering business.
Rau added that World looks forward to welcoming Universal’s TSS team in the move, which will bring immediate value to World’s customers. The transaction is expected to be completed in the next 60 to 90 days, meaning the two companies will still exhibit as separate entities next month at NBAA-BACE.

World Kinect To Buy Universal Weather and Aviation’s Trip-support Business

Deal is expected to close by the end of the year

World Kinect has acquired Universal Weather and Aviation’s name and trip support division.

World Kinect To Buy Universal Weather’s Trip-support Biz

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

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.

Adjusted EBITDA drop exceeded company’s expectations

Surf Air Second-quarter Revenue and Losses Climb

Charles Alcock

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

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.

New UK facility is expected to maintain operator's European fleet more efficiently

NetJets Opens Service Hub at London Farnborough Airport

Garmin PlaneSync connected aircraft management system enables added services

Daher Extends Digital Services to Kodiak Owners

Sarah Rose

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Pink Jet pilot to represent nonprofit offering free cancer flights

Stephanie Goetz Named CAN Ambassador

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

In this article

World Fuel Services

Universal Weather and Aviation

More In Operations

Surf Air Second-quarter Revenue and Losses Climb

Adjusted EBITDA drop exceeded company’s expectations

NetJets Opens Service Hub at London Farnborough Airport

New UK facility is expected to maintain operator's European fleet more efficiently

Daher Extends Digital Services to Kodiak Owners

Garmin PlaneSync connected aircraft management system enables added services

Stephanie Goetz Named CAN Ambassador

Pink Jet pilot to represent nonprofit offering free cancer flights

GlobalAir Publishes FBO Specials for Flights to Oshkosh

Discounts on fuel, food, and facilities are available for AirVenture flyers

GlobalAir Publishes FBO Specials for Flights to Oshkosh

Discounts on fuel, food, and facilities are available for AirVenture flyers

Free MyTIS Trial Offered to Oshkosh Travelers

Provides airport and weather information when ATIS can’t be received

Garmin Adds Oshkosh FISK Arrival for AirVenture Flyers

Procedure includes waypoints and notes on the chart

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