As in years past, U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft will be assisting in the enforcement of an air travel restriction around Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA during Super Bowl 53 between 3 p.m. and midnight on Sunday, February 3rd.
CBP aircraft will be patrolling the zone to support the enforcement of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) during that timeframe.
(Although with the government shutdown having been in effect has restricted the free flow of updates, information and video footage, you can get a sense of the interagency coordination in safeguarding the annual Super Bowl, from this short video from a previous year. Courtesy of the CBP, wcolby and YouTube. Posted on Feb 4, 2016.)
A restricted airspace within a 30-mile radius around the stadium allowing only authorized aircraft to enter, such as military, law enforcement, medevac, and aircraft on an active flight plan and in contact with Air Traffic Control will enforced.
A smaller, more restrictive zone within that area, will allow only essential aircraft with prior approval to operate within a ten mile radius around Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS, also know as drones), will not be allowed to operate anywhere within the TFR without prior authorization granted by the FAA.
Specific details relating to TFRs issued by the FAA can be viewed at http://tfr.faa.gov.
On game day, CBP Black Hawk crews will assist Department of Defense (DoD) aircraft in detecting, tracking, and coordinating the interdiction of aircraft violating the TFR.
If any aircraft violate that air space, CBP will intercept and determine if further enforcement is needed.
The restricted airspace has been designed and will be implemented in order to protect the tens of thousands of attendees before, during, and after the big game.
(Although with the government shutdown having been in effect has restricted the free flow of updates, information and video footage, you can get a sense of the advance interagency coordination required in safeguarding the annual Super Bowl, in this brief video. Courtesy of the CBP and YouTube. Posted on Jan 30, 2018.)
