With the Green Bay Packers beating the Chicago Bears and the Pittsburgh Steelers win over the New York Jets, Super Bowl 45 is set and should be a memorable game on February 6th. What may not be too memorable if you happen to get stuck in private jet traffic.
Airport officials in Dallas and Fort Worth have confirmed improvements at several airports to help with the expected increases in corporate and private jet traffic for the matchup between the Packers and Steelers at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
In 2001, taking off from Tampa International Airport after Super Bowl 35 was a complete nightmare. The airport actually had to close a second runway to have parking spaces for the private jets coming in resulting in planes that weren’t leaving until 3 a.m. Private jet traffic plummeted in 2009 for Super Bowl 43 as many didn’t want to deal with the headache.
EVERYTHING’S BIGGER IN TEXAS
Overall, millions of dollars have been spent in anticipation of the 4,000 potential private jet passengers flying in for Super Bowl 45.
Dallas/Fort Worth International spent $3.3 million to spruce up an 8,500-square foot terminal and new access road. Staff at D/FW say the new terminal and surrounding apron once used by American Eagle Airlines can handle up to 70 planes at once. Dallas Love Field will get the most attention since it’s six miles from the business district, but the new building at Dallas/Fort Worth will appeal to those who want to be in and out the same day.
Both Dallas Love and Dallas Executive Airports have extra parking spaces for private jets, and Love has a new customs area for those flying in internationally.
JUST A HOP, SKIP AND A JUMP AWAY
Now it’s true that Arlington, Texas – the actual site of Super Bowl 45 – is only 20 miles away from Dallas, but why endure highway traffic AND airport traffic?
About seven miles from the stadium, Arlington Municipal Airport has added improvements to accommodate increased private jet traffic. Arlington Municipal measures at 15,500 square feet, and a bigger runway apron and new approach lighting system will not only help with traffic now but more events in the future as well.
Grand Prairie Municipal Airport – roughly six miles from Cowboys Stadium – just begun construction on a new terminal building which may not be ready for Super Bowl 45, but the airport can still handle 45 private jets comfortably.
The only drawback for Arlington Municipal and Grand Prairie is the no-fly-zone restriction before the game and until just after it ends, so you may have to wait a little longer if you choose to land close to the game.
It’s clear that airports in Dallas and surrounding areas want to be well prepared for private jet traffic for Super Bowl 45 so they can avoid what happened to Tampa International. Clearly, these airport officials must have been boy scouts at some point of their lives because they definitely follow the organizations motto: “Be prepared.”
BY: Adio B. Royster
Back to other news
