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.

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Curt Epstein

Universal Aviation has signed a major agreement with Saudi Arabian officials, expanding its footprint into the Middle East for the first time with the establishment of three new facilties.&nbsp;The company’s Saudi division, led by general manager Hayel Altashkandi, has begun preparations to open a lounge in the shared general aviation terminal at Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (OERK) in early 2026.&nbsp;
Universal also received concessions by state-owned airport operator Matarat Holding to manage facilities and provide full ground handling services at Jeddah King Abdulaziz International (OEJN) and Dammam King Fahd International (OEDF) airports.
“This is a long-term investment for Universal,” said Altashkandi. “Our goal is to raise the standard of private aviation services in the kingdom by combining Universal’s global experience with the passion and hospitality of our Saudi team.”
At OEJN, Universal will operate as one of three approved providers, taking over an existing private aviation terminal and operating its own facility and lounge within. Meanwhile, at Dammam, it will be the lone general aviation services provider.
In both cases, the award also includes the operation and management of the first hangars dedicated to private aviation in the kingdom. At all three locations, Universal will offer modern private lounges, expedited customs, immigration, and quarantine facilities, and a full suite of concierge and ground services.
“Saudi Arabia is one of the most dynamic and high-growth markets in the world, and we see it as essential to the future of business aviation,” said Universal chairman Greg Evans. “Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam will not only serve as entry points to the kingdom, but as global benchmarks for service excellence in executive aviation.”
With more than 50 locations worldwide, Universal Aviation has long been the ground handling arm of Universal Weather and Aviation. In a <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-09-03/world-kinect-makes-major-deal-universal-weather-aviation">blockbuster deal</a> announced last month, Universal agreed to sell off its trip support operation along with the Universal Weather and Aviation brand to World Fuel Services’ parent company, World Kinect. That deal is expected to be completed by the year-end.

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