Each year in April, Augusta experiences one of the most dramatic economic patterns among mid-sized metropolitan areas in the United States. Over the past years, the Augusta housing market, vacation rental market, and private jet network have operated quite uniquely. The Masters Tournament, an event held at the Augusta National Golf Course, has a significant impact on reshaping the city’s economic pattern.
As the 2026 tournament will take place between the 9th and 12th of April, with supporting information from AirDNA and flight trackers like FlightAware, it can be assumed that Masters week now symbolizes one of the most important economic events of the year for a specific city in the United States.
The role of private aviation in stimulating the economy
Data collected by FlightAware reveals a significant spike in the number of private jets during the Masters week. Compared to standard traffic patterns, there has been a substantial increase of more than 200 percent in the number of planes coming into the region.
According to FlightAware’s Masters Tournament tracking, more than 3,400 business aviation flights arrived in the Augusta region in the seven days leading up to the 2022 tournament, representing a 221 percent increase compared to the previous year. Over the entire week, arrivals and departures related to business aviation at recent Masters events have consistently exceeded 1,000 aircraft, with the highest volumes occurring in the days immediately preceding the tournament.
From the perspective of the housing market, the demand for private aviation further fuels pricing power. These consumers, paying five-figure one-way fares on their aircraft, are hardly likely to be budget-minded about their accommodations. This further fuels higher nightly rates with increased competition for the best properties near Augusta National Golf Club.
A one-week event that rewrites annual housing economics
Other than when the Masters is taking place, the Augusta market is a stable short-term rental market, with supply and pricing structured to meet local business and tourist travel. However, when the Masters takes place, the balance shifts.
Data from AirDNA’s market analysis indicates that the volume of short-term accommodations in the Augusta area during Masters Week doubles, to over 3,000, through the temporary conversion of approximately 1,500 active listings. This boost is not the result of new homes being constructed. Instead, this represents the conversion of owner-occupied homes into short-term accommodations to capitalize on the Masters crowd.
The pricing will escalate correspondingly. The average nightly price, based on AirDNA data, is shown to increase to around USD 650, which is three times the average price in Augusta. This one week of the year represents an out-of-proportion share of the year’s earnings for several properties. In fact, up to a quarter of the yearly short-term rental earnings can occur in one week.
It is a level of earnings that also affects behavior throughout the year, as people invest, refurbish, or purchase properties with profits expected from Masters week, rather than residential metrics. In a way, Masters Week sets the standards for determining financial performance at residential properties around Augusta.
Demand driven by tourist profile, not merely numbers
The Masters receives many visitors, numbering tens of thousands, and while the demand experienced by the housing market is quantitative, it is qualitative too. The visitors make this demand qualitatively because of who they are.
Masters’ participants include corporate sponsors, hospitality clients, key decision-makers, and affluent individuals who value exclusivity, proximity, and flexibility. Demand characteristics for Master’s participants would ideally cater to detached homes, upmarket areas, and property rentals rather than hotels or shared facilities.
This demand directly corresponds with the overlap of private aviation traffic. Passengers who arrive by private jet are also statistically more likely to rent larger homes, rent them for an extended period, and be willing to pay a higher price. Consequently, private jet traffic has a multiplier effect on the high-end rent demand.
The role of the Augusta Regional Airport
The most utilized private air traffic for the Masters takes place at the Augusta Regional Airport (KAGS/AGS). Augusta Regional Airport is about seven miles from the Augusta National Golf Club. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes by ground transportation, making it a very efficient airport to operate from, especially for charter planes.
Some major traits of Augusta Regional Airport during the Masters golf tournament include an 8,001-foot runway suitable for light and midsize business jets, 24-hour operations, and fuel available on airport grounds.
Additionally, it must be noted that the airport is not an international point of entry, which means international flights must either go through customs in other locations, including Atlanta, before connecting to Augusta if coming domestically.
In situations where parking becomes an issue, other nearby airports, such as the Columbia Metropolitan Airport and Savannah Hilton Head International Airport, which are secondary airports, expand the economic influence around the Masters.
Charter prices depend on visitors’ earnings patterns
The cost for visiting the Masters is reflected in charter prices to Georgia for the Masters week. One-way prices for private charter flights into Georgia, estimated at light jets like the Citation CJ3 accommodating six to seven passengers, cost about USD 18,500 from Dallas, USD 33,000 from Los Angeles, USD 17,500 from Miami, and USD 18,000 from the New York area.
These expenses define the types of visitors entering the Augusta market. Travelers at this level of tourism are less concerned with accommodation costs and are more focused on ease of access, location, and uniqueness. For accommodation providers, this implies increased revenue and a narrower vacant timeline, and it serves as another reminder of how the business aviation industry injects resources into the economy.
The Masters Tournament private jet snapshot
| Category | Masters Week Conditions | Charter-Relevant Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Private Jet Volume | Business aviation traffic increases by more than 200 percent, with over 3,400 flights arriving in the Augusta region in the week leading up to the tournament (FlightAware) | One of the highest short-term concentrations of private charter activity in the United States |
| Peak Arrival Window | Highest traffic occurs in the days leading up to the first tournament round | Requires advance slot coordination, parking planning, and crew scheduling |
| Primary Charter Airport | Augusta Regional Airport (KAGS/AGS), located 15 to 20 minutes from Augusta National Golf Club | Enables efficient passenger transfers and high aircraft utilization |
| Airport Operating Profile | 24-hour operations, fuel available, runway length suitable for light and midsize jets | Supports continuous charter movements over a compressed time period |
| Aircraft Types in Demand | Light and midsize jets such as Citation CJ3 and Citation Excel | Aligns with nonstop capability from major U.S. business centers |
| Typical Charter Pricing | Approximately USD 18,000 to USD 33,000 one way from major U.S. cities | Reflects a low price-sensitivity traveler profile |
| Passenger Profile | Corporate sponsors, executives, hospitality clients, and high-net-worth individuals | Drives demand for flexible scheduling and premium ground handling |
| Parking Constraints | Aircraft parking may become limited at Augusta Regional Airport | Requires repositioning strategies to nearby regional airports |
| Alternate Airports Used | Columbia Metropolitan Airport and Savannah Hilton Head International Airport | Expands the operational footprint of Masters-related charter traffic |
| Operational Complexity | High aircraft density over a short timeframe | Increases importance of early charter booking and trip coordination |
A brief shift in Augusta’s economic center of gravity
When considered together, the August rental data from AirDNA and the aviation tracking from FlightAware paint a consistent picture. The Masters is more than a golf event held each year in Augusta, Georgia. The Masters is a temporary economic shift in which the real estate, general aviation, and high-end travel markets converge.
Private jets serve a customer base with diminished rental demand. Rentals provide homeowners with a financial incentive to allocate their housing stock more effectively. These factors mutually support each other. Every April, for one week, Augusta becomes less of a regional Southern town and increasingly a world center for hospitality.
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FAQs
How much does private jet traffic increase during the Masters?
Private jet activity into Augusta typically rises by up to 200 percent during Masters Week, with more than 1,000 business aviation arrivals and departures recorded across the tournament period.
Which airport do private jets use for the Masters?
Most private charter flights operate through Augusta Regional Airport (KAGS/AGS), located about 15–20 minutes from Augusta National Golf Club.
Are parking constraints common for private jets during the tournament?
Yes. Due to high demand, aircraft parking at Augusta Regional Airport can be limited, requiring some flights to use nearby airports such as Columbia Metropolitan or Savannah Hilton Head.
What aircraft types are commonly chartered for the Masters?
Light and midsize jets, including models like the Citation CJ3, are commonly used due to their range, efficiency, and suitability for short-notice charter demand.
Why do private jet travelers impact rental pricing so strongly?
Private jet passengers typically prioritize location and privacy over price, supporting higher nightly rates and increased demand for premium homes near Augusta National Golf Club.
