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| Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field | |
|---|---|
| Name | Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field |
| Iata | AGS |
| Icao | KAGS |
| Faa | AGS |
| Type | Public |
| Owner | Augusta, Georgia |
| City-served | Augusta, Georgia |
| Opened | 1941 |
| Elevation-f | 199 |
Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field is a public airport serving Augusta, Georgia, located in Richmond County, Georgia. The airport functions as a regional hub connecting Savannah, Georgia, Columbia, South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, and Atlanta, and supports general aviation, commercial service, and military operations from nearby Fort Gordon. It is owned by the city of Augusta, Georgia and operated by the Augusta Aviation Commission.
The site began as a civil airfield in 1941 and was developed during World War II when the United States Army Air Forces used it for training, with ties to the Tuskegee Airmen era activities and nearby Camp Gordon. Postwar, the field transitioned to municipal control influenced by regional growth drivers such as the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, the expansion of Augusta University, and industrial shifts tied to Southern Railway (U.S.) corridors. Commercial airlines like Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines established service through mid-20th century route networks, while charter operators supported Augusta National Golf Club traffic and Masters Tournament logistics. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the airport saw infrastructure investments related to Federal Aviation Administration initiatives and partnerships with Georgia Department of Transportation and Richmond County authorities.
The airport encompasses multiple fixed-base operator facilities and two asphalt runways: a primary runway capable of accommodating narrowbody aircraft associated with carriers like Delta Air Lines and American Eagle, and a secondary runway for general aviation and military support. The terminal building hosts ticketing, security screening by the Transportation Security Administration, baggage claim, and concessions serving passengers bound for destinations including Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport. On-field services include aviation fuel providers, aircraft maintenance tied to General Aviation Manufacturers Association standards, a control tower coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control system, and hangar space used by corporate operators and Georgia Air National Guard-affiliated units.
Commercial service at the airport has been provided by regional affiliates and major network carriers, including regional jets operating for Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and seasonal or charter links used by JetBlue Airways and leisure operators. Typical scheduled destinations have included hubs such as Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport, facilitating connections to international carriers like British Airways, Lufthansa, and Air Canada through partner networks. Cargo operations and air freight movements integrate with logistics chains involving UPS Airlines and FedEx Express for regional distribution across the Southeastern United States.
Ground access routes connect the airport with Interstate 20 (I-20), U.S. Route 1 (US 1), and Georgia State Route 28, linking to downtown Augusta, Georgia, Riverwalk Augusta, and academic centers such as Augusta University. Rental car services from firms like Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz, and Avis operate on-site, while regional shuttle providers support transfers to Sheraton Augusta Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn, and other hospitality venues used during events like the Masters Tournament. Public transit connections interface with the Augusta Transit system and regional taxi and rideshare services, including Uber (company) and Lyft, Inc..
Passenger enplanement figures have fluctuated in response to commercial route adjustments, seasonal tourism peaks tied to the Masters Tournament, and broader trends impacting airline deregulation and hub-and-spoke networks such as those of Delta Air Lines and American Airlines Group. Aircraft operations encompass a mix of scheduled commercial flights, general aviation, air taxi services, and military movements associated with Fort Gordon and regional defense contractors. Cargo tonnage statistics reflect integration with freight carriers and regional supply chains servicing industries including healthcare at Augusta University Medical Center and manufacturing tied to Southeastern rail networks.
Over its operational history, the field has recorded incidents ranging from general aviation mishaps to runway excursions; responses have involved the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration investigations, coordination with Richmond County Fire Department, and implementation of safety recommendations. Notable occurrences prompted reviews of runway safety areas and emergency response protocols consistent with guidance from the International Civil Aviation Organization and FAA advisory circulars.
Planned improvements have been discussed with stakeholders including the Augusta Aviation Commission, the Georgia Department of Transportation, airport tenants, and federal grant programs from the Federal Aviation Administration. Initiatives have focused on terminal modernization, airfield pavement rehabilitation, apron expansion to accommodate larger narrowbody aircraft, improved passenger amenities to serve events like the Masters Tournament, and enhanced ground access linking to Interstate 520 (I-520). Long-range planning aligns with regional economic development objectives advanced by entities such as the Augusta Economic Development Authority and public-private partnerships with aviation service providers.