Augusta-area airports turn into private jet parking lots for the Masters each year
AUGUSTA, Ga. — The Masters has been called a corporate Woodstock, a place to cement relations, entertain clients and make in-roads with future business partners.
The skies around Augusta Regional Airport tell a story of private jet demand for the Masters and indicates the strength of the luxury travel market. The tournament has become so popular that Daniel Field, Augusta's general aviation airport, built a tower used once a year to accommodate all the private planes flying in and out during Masters week.
Many of them transport players. Will Zalatoris was among the pros traveling in style to the 89th Masters. He also is the latest player to be signed as a Magellan Jets Brand Ambassador, joining Masters champion Dustin Johnson and swing coach Claude Harmon III. The deal for Zalatoris includes hosting unique golf experiences for the company's private clients, displaying the Magellan Jets logo on his golf gear and participating in marketing campaigns. This week, the company estimates it is charter flying 10 percent of the field to and from Augusta.
FlexJet, a global leader in private aviation, which operates out of Augusta's Regional Airport as well as Thompson Field, Aiken Field and Daniel Field, reported demand during the Masters rising 30 percent year over year with an increase in early bookings. The company rents Hangar One and staffs it with over 30 people to make sure it is a seamless and enjoyable experience. With each passing year, flying private to the Masters has become more of a status symbol.
'It's a VIP experience and a timesaver,' said D.J. Hanlon, executive vice president of sales.
And so once again, private planes are dropping off clients heading to Augusta National, leaving planes parked on runways as if it is a lot for the rich and famous. For the rest of us, the easiest way to make it into Augusta is to fly into the major international airport in Atlanta, then drive 1.5-hours into Augusta. Other options include Columbia, S.C. But even commercial flights have become easier. Delta, an Atlanta-based company that serves as one of the Masters' 'official partners,' beefed up seating capacity to Augusta during the week of the tournament by 15 percent, raising the number of daily seats flying into the event to 1,900.
Private has become a popular choice to Daniel Field except for one of those sign of the times: the planes used to transport patrons and players there have outgrown the length of the runway. Sounds like a nice problem to have.
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