Checklist: Super Bowl 2025 Special Procedures

The FAA has issued the following notice of special air traffic procedures for Super Bowl LIX, which takes place Feb. 9 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The procedures take effect from Feb. 6, 0601 UTC through Feb. 11, 0400 UTC. Further information is available here. 

Prior Permission Required (PPR) Program

Due to the high volume of air traffic anticipated during the Super Bowl activities, a Special Event Reservation Prior Permission Required (PPR) Program will be in effect for arrivals and departures, including drop-and-go operations, to and from airports in the New Orleans metropolitan area, between Feb. 6, 0001 CST and Feb. 10, 2359 CST.

The following flights are exempt from this program: law enforcement and public safety flights; regularly scheduled air carrier and air taxi operations, including flights operating under Part 380, which covers Essential Air Service.

Participating Special Event Reservation PPR Program airports include:

• KMSY, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International, New Orleans
• KNEW, New Orleans Lakefront Airport
• KASD, Slidell Municipal Airport, Louisiana
• KHDC, Hammond Northshore Regional, Hammond, Louisiana
• KAPS, Port of South Louisiana Executive Regional, Reserve, Louisiana

For the PPR Program, review the airport’s Notam, and as directed in the Notam contact your preferred FBO at that airport, or the airport authority. All pilots/operators are strongly encouraged to contact their servicing FBO prior to departure, to ensure availability for both overnight parking and passenger pickup/drop-off.

Operators without PPR Program reservations should expect significant delays in and out of the area with the possibility of denial of service.

VFR Pilot Clarification: The PPR Program will apply to VFR air traffic; however, an airport may have more stringent requirements for itinerants due to constrained ramp space and resources. Contact the FBO or airport authority where you are based and at those locations where you intend to arrive/depart for additional information.

Many other airports, especially those within a 50 nm radius of KMSY, are projecting a substantial increase in operations, and parking at surrounding airports may be unavailable. These airports may have more stringent requirements for itinerants, due to constrained ramp space and resources.

Security Provisions

Special security provisions will be in effect, including (but not limited to) temporary flight restrictions (TFR), two-way communication, and discrete transponder requirements. Specific procedures contained in this notice may be revised. Access to some airports may be restricted. Pilots are encouraged to check Notams frequently to verify they have the most current information.

TFR information is normally disseminated via FDC Notam 3-to-5 days prior to the event. Once published, text and graphic depictions of restrictions may be found at: http://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html

VFR Traffic

Due to the high volume of traffic in the New Orleans metropolitan area, VFR arrivals can expect lengthy delays during peak traffic periods. In addition, VFR departures from the New Orleans area should not expect to obtain an airborne pickup of IFR clearance within 200 nm of their point of departure.

Practice approaches, touch-and-goes, flight-following services and pilot training operations at airports in the New Orleans metropolitan area will be extremely limited and possibly curtailed during this time period, due to the high volume of traffic associated with the Super Bowl.

Traffic Management

Traffic management initiatives will be used when arrival rates exceed airport capacity. Pilots should be prepared for potential airborne holding, reroutes, or Expect Departure Clearance Times (EDCT) that may be issued for all domestic IFR arrivals to the following airports: KMSY, KNEW, KASD, KBTR, KLFT, KGPT, KHDC, KHSA, KAPS, KHUM.

Air Files And Changes Of Destination

Traffic management initiatives will be used to provide equitable airspace access. To maintain program integrity and minimize delays, no airborne IFR filing or airborne changes of destination will be accepted within 200 nm of the New Orleans Terminal Area, except in emergency situations. Duplicate flight plans (same time/call sign) to multiple airport destinations are subject to removal from the system.