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

Universal Aviation and airport operator Aerodom have inaugurated the new FBO terminal at Presidente Juan Bosch International Airport (MDCY) in Samaná, on the northeastern corner of the Dominican Republic.
Aerodom—a division of global airport operator Vinci—holds the concession to manage six state-owned airports in the island nation through 2060. <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-02-14/universal-aviation-partners-dominican-repubic-fbo">Earlier</a> this year, it announced that Universal would operate the FBO at MDCY, which underwent a major renovation.
The 3,200-sq-ft terminal—in step with Vinci’s sustainability commitments—features eco-friendly construction and technology. It offers a modern lobby, private passenger lounge, an ocean view terrace, onsite immigration and customs services, concierge, crew lounge, and catering kitchen. It marks Universal’s third FBO on the island, along with providing ground handling at four other locations.
This is the latest addition to the Universal Aviation network since the company <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-09-03/world-kinect-makes-major-deal-universal-weather-aviation">separated</a> from the Universal Weather and Aviation brand following the latter’s sale to World Kinect in September.
“At Universal Aviation, we are proud to have started our journey in the county only years ago in August of 2016, and are amazed to arrive where we are today—covering seven airports, handling thousands of flights, touching thousands of crews and passengers, and now adding this beautiful FBO here in Samaná as a jewel in the crown for all of us,” said company chairman Greg Evans.
The opening comes amid sustained growth and tourism infrastructure investment in the area, which has emerged as a destination for luxury travel.
“With this new terminal, we reaffirm our commitment to the development of private and executive aviation in the Dominican Republic,” said Alexandra Malvezin, Aerodom’s chief commercial officer. “This FBO places Samaná on par with the most exclusive international destinations, strengthening its tourism appeal and contributing to the economic growth of the entire northeastern region.”

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Universal Aviation Unveils Renovated Dominican Republic FBO

Represents Universal’s third FBO on the island

Universal Aviation has inaugurated its new FBO terminal at Presidente Juan Bosch (Samaná El Catey) International Airport in the Dominican Republic.

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