NBAA Offers World Cup Tournament Traffic Guidance

With the FIFA World Cup tournament set to kick off next month across North America, NBAA’s traffic desk is providing advice for operators intending to visit any of the 16 host cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Much as it does for similar high-profile sporting events such as the Super Bowl, the organization suggests that aircraft operators obtain parking reservations with their preferred FBO as early as possible.

NBAA also said to expect traffic flow measures to be initiated, particularly as the tournament reaches its final rounds. That airspace management could include ground stops, airspace flow programs, time-based metering, miles-in-trail restrictions, and airborne holding.

Operators should anticipate game-day TFRs in a roughly 6-nm diameter centered on the venues, extending from the surface to 3,000 feet, lasting from an hour before the contest to an hour afterwards.

With events taking place in 11 cities in the U.S., three in Mexico, and two in Canada, there will be variations by region and likely by country, and operators are advised to keep track of notams as they are published.

NBAA noted that passengers should be provided with screening, identity verification, and other security program information well in advance of the flight, and all onboard should have valid passports, Real IDs, or other accepted forms of identification ready for inspection.

The tournament starts on June 11, with the first contest pitting host Mexico against South Africa in Mexico City.

For the quarterfinals, starting on July 9, matches will be held in Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, and Kansas City, with the two semifinal games less than a week later in Dallas and Atlanta. The tournament championship will be decided on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.