Augusta Regional Airport sees influx of travelers during Masters week

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Augusta roads aren’t the only place you’ll find golf tournament traffic.

Augusta Regional Airport is prepared for an influx of visitors during Masters week by implementing parking protocols, highlighting local artists, and offering more direct flights through Delta and American Airlines.

“As always, our terminal will be bustling and full of amenities, entertainment and energy,” said Herbert L. Judon Jr., airport executive director.

Augusta Regional Airport says Friday and Monday are their busiest days of travel during Masters week.

Thousands of people, like Jose Barcena, are traveling by air to reach heaven on earth.

“This is my first Masters and I’m here and just want to have as many pimento cheese sandwiches as I can,” said Barcena.

There will be some residual ongoing construction projects, but they will not affect the airport’s capacity or operations, Judon said.

“This year we are especially excited to feature our two new additional aircraft boarding bridges, our new master concessionaire, Tailwind Hospitality, and the record number of flights and destinations,” said Judon.

Private and commercial jets line the Augusta Regional runway on day two of tournament week.

Airport officials say even larger crowds than in years past are lining their hallways earlier this year.

Lauren Smith is the airport’s Assistant Director of Marketing and Public Relations. She says they’re expecting to see even more people than ever before.

“This is our busiest week by far and we were just talking earlier with staff this week, it seems to be even busier sooner than it has been normally. Normally, on Tuesdays. it’s a little trickle of people, but as you can see behind me, we’re we’re in full-fledged Masters mode,” said Smith.

In addition to regularly scheduled destinations, Washington, Dallas, Charlotte and Atlanta, Delta and American Airlines will offer additional direct flights to and from Augusta during the week.

“This year, actually, Delta added an additional number of direct flights as well. Normally American Airlines provides additional flights primarily, but Delta this year has included some more,” said Smith.

This year’s itineraries include direct service to and from New York, Detroit, Boston, Austin, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Miami and Chicago.

Barcena says these extra flights are what is making this year’s “boys trip” possible.

“It’s just my boy, Pat, and I. He just had a baby a few months ago and his wife gave him the okay for us to have a little boys trip,” said Barcena.

As the crowds continue to expand, Smith says the airport is almost done with the two new gate expansions, with their eyes set on the future.

“We are continuing to move forward with our projects. Of course, we’re expanding and growing. So we have to make sure we keep our amenities up to standard with that as well. The next project is going to be our TSA expansion. That’s going to become larger with additional lanes to help accommodate all of our numbers,” said Smith.

Augusta Regional said as the week goes on and you’re making your way back to the airport you will want to give yourself plenty of time. They are recommending you arrive three hours before your departure time.

On Thursday, flights also began to pick up at Daniel Field Airport as people from all over are flying to Augusta, getting ready for Masters to officially kick-off.

“Today was definitely a busy day. It’s a normal, upbeat compared to Monday and Tuesday,” said Jacob Postell, Chief Avionics inspector.

Some people come just for the day, and they say it’s worth it.

Hal Jones said: “We flew in this morning. At nine o’clock, at breakfast, lunch, dinner, flying home. We came in today mainly because Augusta is such a special place did a national tournament here and the Masters is just unbelievable. And we feel honored and privileged to be able to come here and just experience what we experienced today.”

More planes will continue to bring in more people, making the airport even busier going into the weekend.

Postell said: “When we have the weather that we have, it’s a steady, busy day. And we do what we can to safely get the aircraft on the ground, safely park, make sure the engers are deep boarding and safely crossing the airfield, and get them refilled and ready to go for the next journey.”

But in past years, that wasn’t always the case.

“We would always have a downtick in the amount of traffic we would get in the middle of the week. And now, with the weather we’re having, is definitely better than it has been over the past couple of years in recent memory,” said Postell.

Even though the weather has been better this year, Thursday could throw things for a loop.

“I think the challenge tomorrow might be the weather that will make it very difficult for aircraft to get to our airfield,” said Postell.

Daniel Field Airport Says they are staffed and ready to go if any flights are impacted by weather coming in.

PARKING

The airport is continuing the parking protocols for all “for hire” commercial ground transportation operators. These protocols extend to for-profit enterprises that enter the premises for the sole purpose of picking up engers – services like taxis, limousines, hotel/motel shuttle services and hospitality transportation services.

From April 8-15, these operators will be required to pay a trip fee of $2 to gain access to a designated parking lot adjacent to the main terminal building.

All “for hire” commercial ground transportation operators will be required to use this lot to stage their vehicles and pick up engers.

ENTERTAINMENT

Airport visitors will also see a glimpse of the area’s local talent. Works from Augusta University’s Art Department will be in the gate area of the main terminal.

Local musical talents Josephine Johnson, Matt Dahlheimer, Adam Harris Thompson, Bill Karp, John Hobbs, JaVonne Jones, Pat Patterson and Fred Williams will perform throughout the week in the baggage claim area.

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