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.

Senior Editor

Curt Epstein

Signature Flight Support has increased its footprint in the Caribbean, with an agreement to acquire the full-service St. Thomas Jet Center, an FBO at Cyril E. King-Charlotte Amalie Airport, which also operates the lower-cost service provider Alliance Aviation at the field.

 


According to the BBA Aviation subsidiary, the purchase will take place in two phases, with Signature now owning 49 percent of the business, and the remainder to be acquired over the next 14 months. The deal also includes the company’s Jet Set Rental Cars division&nbsp;and its Tri Island Energy Fuel Logistics business.

 


After being pummeled by the twin Category 5 Hurricanes Irma and Maria last year, the St. Thomas Jet Center has repaired most of the damage. It offers an executive terminal and two hangars (8,000 sq ft and 16,200 sq ft), which are generally reserved for tenant aircraft.

 


“This agreement expands Signature’s growing presence in the Caribbean, a region where we have placed significant focus during the past few years,” said Mark Johnstone, group chief executive for BBA Aviation and CEO of Signature. “St. Thomas is a prime destination for our customers and complements our other locations in the region.”

 


Michael and Susan Hancock, who have owned the St. Thomas FBO for more than two decades, will remain with the business, along with the staff, for at least the next two years.

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

Signature Acquires Virgin Islands Bases

The world's largest aviation service provider has struck a deal to buy the St. Thomas Jet Center and its Alliance Aviation affiliate.

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.

Company and country inked an agreement this week

Jetex Slated To Develop Uzbekistan's First FBO

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

Riverside Jet Center in Tulsa brings the network to 24 members

AEG Connect Adds Oklahoma Member FBO

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

More In FBOs

Jetex Slated To Develop Uzbekistan's First FBO

Company and country inked an agreement this week

AEG Connect Adds Oklahoma Member FBO

Riverside Jet Center in Tulsa brings the network to 24 members

Atlantic Aviation Buys Vertiport Developer Ferrovial

Business aviation services group branches out into advanced air mobility

Atlantic Aviation's New Chord in Music City

Chain wows the crowds with new Music City Digs

Sky Harbour Poised for Continued Growth with New Funding

Company is uplisting on the NYSE

Miami FBO Set for New Terminal Debut in January

International Flight Center's new facility is major upgrade over old one

Million Air FBO in Albany Joins Avfuel Network

The FBO is the lone service provider at KALB

Paragon Network Adds Three Colorado FBO Locations

Luxaviation-owned group now totals nearly 150 locations worldwide

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN