Leaders at Augusta Regional Airport are still crunching the numbers, but the first review showed increased activity and revenue.
Members of the Aviation Commission learned results are up across the board, from arrivals and departures to security screening and jet fuel sales.
“The fact that what we pull off with the size of the facility, and what we try to do every year, it’s really miraculous. We kind of punch well above our weight come Masters Week,” executive director Herbert Judon, Jr. told commission members.
Kenneth Hinkle, the airport’s Director of Aviation Services, reported there were no incidents during the elevated level of air travel, adding that this year’s numbers exceed last year’s.
“For the week, we pumped 700,000 gallons of jet fuel for Masters,” he began. “Or for the entire month, we exceeded the one-million mark again. All together, we have $8 million that we have collected. We sold so much fuel that we couldn’t keep up with the new fuel farm. So, we’re going to have to work on a new process management piece.”
That compares with the 617,544 gallons of fuel delivered during the 2025 Masters Week.
The new apron and runway space, part of the construction of a new private terminal and hangar for NetJets, was a factor in the higher numbers.
“With what I call the north football field, it gave us additional space, so we didn’t feel crammed,” Hinkle explained. “The linemen, the pilots, everybody thought it was spacious. So, they had enough room. They didn’t have to cram airplanes in. So again, that led to our record of 4,200 operations for the week.
An operation is the total number of takeoffs and landings at the airport. In 2025, that number was 3,950.
The increase in air traffic was also felt inside the terminal building at the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) security checkpoints.
“Just statistic-wise, one quick number I wanted to give you is one we had from. A little over 27,000 people were screened that week. So, it was a historical week for us,” said Lauren Smith, the airport’s deputy executive director.
That marks a substantial increase over 2025, when 24,366 passengers were screened.
Smith added that AGS received additional national and international news coverage. They also received compliments on the partnership with Delta Airlines that turned parts of the terminal and gate areas into a virtual golf course.
The Eastern Fixed Base Operator (FBO) off Lock and Dam Road continued to expand services for private aircraft. It was created several years ago to lessen the amount of foot and vehicle traffic on the main terminal building. It is also a temporary base for private pilots as they wait for passengers to return. This year, the new Approach Inn Lounge was opened.
Hinkle said, while operations went smoothly this year, they also identified opportunities for future events.
“We are fortunate to have this event every year,” he said. “It gives me some, ‘Hey, I wish I could have done this. I wish I could have done that.’ So, the next time we get the opportunity to do it, we correct this or make some fine-tuning pieces.”
He added that the numbers he released are preliminary while final receipts and audits are tallied. He anticipated that the final numbers would be ready by the next commission meeting.
