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

U.S.-based private equity company KKR has sold what it described as “significant interest” in its Atlantic Aviation holdings to global asset manager Apollo Funds in a move that had been <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2026-03-31/fbo-mega-chain-expected-change-hands">discussed</a> for several months.
KKR <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2021-06-07/pe-firm-kkr-buying-atlantic-aviation-nearly-45b">acquired</a> Atlantic—one of just two FBO mega-chains in the industry—from longtime owner Macquarie Infrastructure in 2021 for nearly $4.5 billion. At the time, the service provider had 69 locations in the U.S. Under KKR’s stewardship, it has since grown to more than 100. While KKR remains a substantial shareholder, the transaction values Atlantic Aviation at nearly $10 billion.
“This transaction is more than a milestone for Atlantic—it is a powerful validation of what our people have built together,” said Atlantic CEO Jeff Foland. “To have two of the world’s most respected investment firms choose to invest in our company is an extraordinary endorsement of our people, our performance, and our potential.”
“Atlantic has built an irreplaceable infrastructure footprint across the nation’s busiest airports, underpinned by long-term concession agreements and a customer base that values reliability and service above all else,” said Apollo partner David Cohen, adding that his company believes the current private aviation boom will persist. “We look forward to working closely with Jeff, the entire Atlantic team, and KKR to build on its momentum through targeted investment and strategic new market expansion.”

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

Apollo Funds Acquires Major Share in Atlantic Aviation from KKR

KKR purchased the FBO chain in 2021

Following its 2021 purchase of Atlantic Aviation, KKR has now sold off a significant share in the company to Apollo Funds.

Apollo Funds Acquires Major Stake in Atlantic Aviation

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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.

In this article

Atlantic Aviation

More In FBOs

Atlantic Aviation Starts Work on Second Nashville FBO

It will join the company’s location at Nashville International Airport

Wisconsin FBO Chain Expands with Janesville Purchase

Spring City Aviation now has four FBOs in the Badger State

Developer Gets Lease for Vegas-area Hangar Complex

Work will begin on the Boulder City facility by the end of the year

Pilot Steps In To Operate Kansas FBO

The facility pays tribute to the airfield’s WWII service

Sky X Marks the Spot with FBO at Hammond Northshore

The airport on Lake Pontchartrain now has three FBOs

Airport To Take Over Operations at Chicago-area FBO

Signature Aviation had been the longtime FBO operator at Waukegan National Airport

Infinity Aviation Groups Adds NY-area FBO to Chain

FlightServ completed its Trenton facilities in 2023

Pentastar Aviation FBO Introduces Wingwalking Robots

The FBO says it is the first to adopt the autonomous safety technology

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN