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Private Jets Swarm Augusta for the Masters as Airports Add Space and Fees

Masters week lays bare the outsized economic footprint of private aviation.

Overview

  • The tournament’s opening brought nearly 300 private arrivals to Augusta Regional, about five times the airport’s typical daily traffic, according to FlightAware.
  • To handle the surge, the airport imposed special-event landing charges up to $4,000 per aircraft, hired extra staff, added fuel trucks, and expanded parking.
  • NetJets opened 432,000 square feet of ramp space in Augusta this week and said it expects as many as 775 landings and takeoffs tied to the event.
  • Overflow traffic is routing to nearby Daniel Field and Aiken Regional, while operators court clients with clubhouses, private dinners, and Masters-themed onboard requests.
  • The week brings an estimated $120 million to Augusta, reflecting a sector that supports 1.3 million U.S. jobs and can shift traffic and revenue when rules like presidential flight limits reroute flights.