More than 3,500 additional take-offs and landings and nearly 1,000 additional aircraft on the ground are expected for the Super Bowl, which will be held Sunday, February 4, at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Special procedures, including Temporary Flight Restrictions and a No Drone Zone will limit flights around US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis before, during and after the Big Game.
Heads up, stay safe, and heres what you need to know:
Temporary Flight Restrictions
- The TFR will go into effect Sunday afternoon. It will cover a 30-nautical mile ring, centered over the stadium and from the ground up to 18,000 feet in altitude, before expiring at 11:59 p.m. that evening. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) may establish additional TFRs during the week if security needs require them. Pilots are required to be aware of the latest TFR postings, and to check NOTAMs before flight.
- The parameters of a TFR are dynamic and are subject to change. Be sure to check the TFR before you take off so you can see the latest description and map.
- All scheduled commercial flights, emergency, medical, public safety or military flights may enter the TFR while it is in place, in coordination with air traffic control. The TFR will not affect regularly-scheduled commercial flights flying in and out of Minneapolis-St.Paul International Airport (MSP).
- The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) enforces TFRs in real time, but the FAA may also take later action against a pilot who violates a TFR.
No Drone Zone
- Drones are prohibited within a 30-nautical mile radius of US Bank Stadium during the TFR. Pilots are encouraged to check all Notices to determine where drones may fly. Pilots who violate the restrictions may be subject to penalties from the FAA or law enforcement. Drone operators are responsible for complying with all restrictions, notices and other limitations.
Staffing
- Controllers at Minneapolis-St.Paul International airport, St. Paul Downtown, Anoka County-Blaine and Flying Cloud towers will handle traffic, as will controllers at Minneapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center in Farmington.
- FAA electronics technicians also will be on hand at all facilities to monitor and maintain air traffic equipment and on-field navigational aids. All facilities will remain open for 24 hours this weekend.
- Airports can only accept as many aircraft as they can safely park, and parking spots must be reserved in advance. Overflow traffic will be sent to Crystal (MIC), Osceola (OEO), New Richmond (RNH), Red Wing (RGK), St. Cloud (STC), Rochester (RST), and Mankato (MKT). Minneapolis-St. Paul International (MSP), St. Paul Downtown (STP), Anoka-County-Blaine (ANE) and Flying Cloud (FCM) airports will close runways for additional parking.
- Most aircraft are expected to arrive between Friday night, February 2, and Sunday morning, February 4. Departures are expected to be heavy immediately after the game through Monday afternoon, pushing air traffic levels to two to three times the normal amount. The FAA has added additional departure routes to quickly funnel air traffic out of the airspace.