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

Abu Dhabi-based aircraft charter and management provider RoyalJet has selected the CFM Leap-1A engine to power its <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-12-11/royaljet-expanding-fleet-acj320neo-purchase">upcoming</a> fleet of Airbus ACJ320neos, it said this week at the Dubai Airshow. Late last year, the company placed an order worth as much as $1 billion for&nbsp;three Airbus ACJ320neo VVIP jets plus options for six more, the first of which is expected to be delivered next year.
The Leap turbofan—manufactured by CFM International, a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines—now equips more than 4,000 aircraft. Its advanced technologies, such as composite fan blades and ceramic matrix composites, allows it to deliver 15% less fuel burn and 15% lower carbon emissions than the previous generation CFM-56 engines. Its open MRO ecosystem also offers dozens of maintenance locations around the world.
“CFM International and its Leap engines have built a solid reputation for its safety, reliability, and fuel efficiency,” said Mohammed Husain Ahmed, the aircraft operator’s acting CEO. “Their impeccable track record of being the preferred engine provider for such a type of aircraft as the ACJ320neo is almost unquestionable.”
RoyalJet, which operates from its FBO facility at Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (OMAA), also announced the appointment of Alain Champonnois as v-p of commercial operations. This is the second tour with the company for Champonnois, an industry veteran for more than a quarter of a century. He previously served as its commercial director before taking on the role of Chapman Freeborn’s president and CEO for India, the Middle East, and Africa. Additionally, he has served in executive roles in the region for Jetex, Honda Aircraft, and Jet Aviation.

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

RoyalJet Selects LEAP Engines for Upcoming ACJ320neos

Aircraft operator is expecting its first ACJ delivery next year

RoyalJet has selected the CFM LEAP engine to power its on-order Airbus ACJ320neos.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

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.

Wholesale charter provider is adding the super-midsize jets to its fleet of Citation Xs

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Amy Wilder

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XO Unveils Corporate Tier for Business Travel

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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.

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

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Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

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News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

Dubai Airshow 2025

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Airbus ACJ Series

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