Masters Golf Tournament 2026

Updated April 2, 2026

If your business plans take you to the Augusta, GA area from Sunday, April 5, through Monday, April 13, 2026, operators should be aware the FAA has released a Special Air Traffic Procedures NOTAM for the Masters Golf Tournament. The Masters Tournament will be taking place from April 9-12, 2026, in Augusta, GA with a substantial projected increase in flight volume associated with the event and alterations to standard air traffic flows at the nearby regional airports. Historically, the rise of inbound traffic begins to build on the preceding Wednesday, overlaps with heavy outbound traffic on Friday, and concludes with a departure push on Sunday and Monday. The core airports expecting the most significant impacts are:

• Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field (AGS)
• Aiken Regional Airport (AIK)
• Daniel Field (DNL)
• Thomson-McDuffie County Airport (HQU)

Columbia Metro Airport (CAE) is located farther away, but has also been a popular choice in years past.

Preferred IFR Arrival and Departure Routes

Flight operators should note that there are preferred arrival and departure routes for Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field (AGS), Aiken Regional Airport (AIK), Daniel Field (DNL) and Thomson-McDuffie County Airport (HQU) from April 5-13, 2026. These route strings, along with abundant useful information, can be found within the FAA’s Domestic Notice. Flight operators not utilizing the preferred routes should expect ATC to issue route amendments that could potentially delay their flight.

View the FAA’s Domestic Notice for the Masters Golf Tournament

Flow Initiatives

Atlanta (ZTL) ARTCC will utilize extended scheduling/metering times (TBFM) for inbound flights departing from within their airspace and ZME/ZHU/ZID/ZDC/ZJX/ZMA ARTCCs to control flow over the various arrival fixes into the TRACON airspace. If departing from one of those ARTCCs, expect to receive a flow time when the crew calls for release. Any VFR aircraft should also anticipate lengthy delays and limited advisory services when the airspace becomes congested.

In addition, FAA traffic management initiatives, including routing amendments, miles-in-trail restrictions, ground stops, ground delay programs (GDPs) or airspace flow programs (AFPs), are possible during periods of peak demand. If a GDP or AFP is implemented, operators will be assigned an EDCT. The air traffic demand in conjunction with the airport arrival rates will determine the delay length. Operators are encouraged to file their flight plans as soon as possible (ideally the day prior to their flight) to give the FAA a good idea of expected volume and to help reduce delays.

Airport Details

Since the procedures in place vary slightly between the main airports, here is a list of key information on each, including the expected reservation process. Operators should visit the FBO websites or contact their personnel to secure parking reservations, receive any necessary PPR numbers, and arrange services as soon as possible. Ramp fees are also expected at each airport, and users should contact their FBO to obtain specifics.

Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field (AGS)

• The airport is located about 13 miles (approximately a 15-20 minute drive) from Augusta National Golf Club.
• The FBO to contact is Augusta Regional Airport Aviation Services, and reservations will be handled via their FlightBridge portal.
• Operators who need to reach the FBO prior to their flight may call 706-798-2656.
• Runway 8/26 and several taxiways will be closed to support additional aircraft parking.
• To meet increased demand, AGS will utilize several parking and ramp areas during Masters week:
  • Main Terminal Ramp – Primary parking and FBO services
  • East Operations Area (Runway 8/26 & Taxiway E) – Satellite FBO with full services
  • North Overflow Ramp Pad – Additional parking north of the main terminal

Aiken Regional Airport (AIK)

• The airport is located about one mile off I-20 just north of Augusta and is approximately a 30 minute drive from Augusta National Golf Club.
• The FBO to contact is Aiken Aviation, and reservations will be handled via their FlightBridge portal.
• Operators who need to reach the FBO prior to their flight may call 803-648-7803.
• Runway 1/19 will be closed for additional parking from April 4-14, 2026.
• A temporary air traffic control tower will operate from April 6-12, 2026. See applicable NOTAM for operating hours and communication information.
• The ramp frequency 122.775 will be used after landing for parking and crew/passenger transportation.

Daniel Field (DNL)

• The airport is located about 3 miles (approximately a 10-15 minute drive) from Augusta National Golf Club.
• The FBO to contact is Augusta Aviation, and reservations will be handled via their FlightBridge portal.
• Operators who need to reach the FBO prior to their flight may call 706-733-8970.
• A temporary air traffic control tower will operate from April 6-12, 2026. See applicable NOTAM for operating hours and communication information.

Thomson-McDuffie County Airport (HQU)

• The airport is located about 2 miles west of Augusta and is approximately a 30 minute drive from Augusta National Golf Club.
• The FBO to contact is Spirit Aviation, and reservations will be handled via their FlightBridge portal.
• Operators who need to reach the FBO prior to their flight may call 706-595-1300.
• See published airport information for procedures and communication details.

Columbia Metro Airport (CAE)

• The airport is located about 67 miles (approximately a 70 minute drive) northeast of Augusta National Golf Club.
• There are two FBOs at the field:
  • Eagle Aviation – Reservations will be handled via their FlightBridge portal. Operators who need to reach the FBO prior to their flight may call 803-822-5555.
  • Columbia Aviation – Operators who need to reach the FBO about reservations or services prior to their flight may call 803-822-8332.
• See published airport information for procedures and communication details.