Beginning this weekend, among the busier airports in the world will be in Georgia. No, not Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, but about 150 miles west at Augusta Regional Airport. Private planes will begin flying in and out of Augusta Regional as early as April 2 in preparation for Masters Week, which runs April 6-12.
Among the larger – and more active – private aviation companies working Masters Week will be FlyUSA, a Clearwater, FL., based company that provides private jet charter and aviation solutions for affluent travelers and businesses.
“We probably make 60 flights in and out over the course of 10 days,’’ said Barry Shevlin, CEO of FlyUSA, “What’s interesting is that most people fly for just one day. So most of the trips we do are flying people in the morning and taking them home later that same day.
“I wouldn’t have guessed it, but the way it works, it’s common for them to go up and back for a day.’’
Just as it is becoming more “common,’’ for travelers of means to choose private over commercial aviation, particularly in these days of airport congestion caused by TSA restraints and personnel issues.
Flying privately, however, was gaining in popularity among wealthy travelers even before the latest TSA work problems.
“We have a base of around 2,500 clients – and we currently manage another 30 aircraft on behalf of owners,’’ Shevlin told me. “We are seeing growth in each category. In the charter segment, we’re getting a lot of first-time clients who don’t want to miss business or family opportunities because of TSA.’’
FlyUSA ranked No. 419 on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list, which tracks the fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States annually. Of the 5,000 companies, FlyUSA is also the 51st fastest growing in Florida and 10th fastest in the travel and hospitality industry.
Each of those numbers track with the recent growth in private aviation. In 2025, for example, the FAA reported 3.7 million private jet flights – up 35 percent from pre-pandemic levels – while corporate spending on provate flights for executives has increased 19 percent.
The reasons, Shevlin said, are simple to figure out.
“It’s all about having control of your time and schedule. Is it expensive? Yes. But in my mind, if I can get to spend an extra 15 to 20 nights at home with my family versus flying commercial, then it’s worth the price. That’s time you can’t get back.’’