Every year during The Masters week, Augusta airports are as busy as they could possibly be. Thousands of private jets are descending on Augusta for The Masters. The influx is expected to generate millions for local airports, with some round trips costing patrons more than $30,000.

With high profile individuals flying to Georgia to witness the sporting spectacle, there’s a massive surge in private aviation at the airports. The Augusta Regional Airport, located six miles south of Augusta, anticipates around 2000 jet arrivals during the week.

As Rory McIlroy looks to defend his title, celebrities, CEOs, and rich fans assemble at Augusta National.

The Masters has always been one of the most active and important moments on the calendar for private aviation. There are too many private jets for the airport to cope with. As a result, it has called upon a business within a business - companies that set out to secure parking spots for the private jets and meet their owners’ expensive demands.

PrivateJet.com is one of the companies chosen to bring in the patrons to Augusta. Director of charter sales, Michael Loff, mentioned that many visitors asked for planes with extra space to fit their own golf equipment, thereby going for the King Air 350.

Originally designed for skis, the King Air 350 comes with wing lockers. A round trip to Augusta costs around $15-18,000. Bigger models come with a bigger package, upwards of $30,000. 

“The sheer volume that goes through Augusta every year is always outlandish,” says D.J. Hanlon, the Executive Vice President of Sales at Flexjet, another company that brings the patrons in. “That week probably sees close to 4,000 aircraft movements over a really condensed time.” 

Airports profit heavily from the ‘special event fees’. This week it ranges from $150 to $4000 at Augusta, based upon the aircraft’s size. However, significantly less compared to the Super Bowl, as Loff stated. Fans even come earlier to watch the Par 3 Contest and Augusta National Women’s Amateur, ensuring a long-holiday week.

It’s Not All About Golf But More Beyond it

The Masters is not just about golf for the high-profile audience. It acts a networking hub for them and provides a suitable platform for their business enclosures. 

Leona Qi, President of VistaJet U.S said,“CEOs, they’re here, [but] they have their own hospitality as well. They’re flying in with us. They go to their company’s hospitality, people are connecting and closing deals. I know a lot of deals, corporate deals [and] partnerships are getting done at Augusta.” Qi notes, “It’s really not just about golf.”

Moreover, the Big Oak Tree at the golf course acts as the hub of economic and social activity every April. It stands between the clubhouse and the first tee and is the point where champions, CEOS, celebrities and other high-profile individuals converse.

Thus, becoming the epicenter of all the business deals that are made during The Masters week.

Read more at Daily Club Golf!

Written by

Avishek Sarkar

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi