Access to restricted airspace over sporting events during Homeland Security Threat Level Orange

Access to restricted airspace over sporting events during Homeland Security Threat Level Orange

On September 11, 2002, all waivers issued to aircraft operators for access to restricted airspace over sporting events were canceled after the President approved moving the Homeland Security Advisory System's Threat Condition from Level YELLOW (Significant Risk of Terrorist Attacks) to Level ORANGE (High Risk of Terrorist Attacks).

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) continue to receive requests to authorize flights into restricted airspace over sporting events. While the Homeland Security Advisory System's Threat Condition remains at ORANGE, the FAA and TSA will only allow the following flights access to restricted airspace over sporting events:

• Department of Defense, law enforcement, and aeromedical flights if they are in contact with and under the control of FAA air traffic control
• Flights that are determined by TSA to be essential to the safe operation of the sporting event
• Flights authorized by FAA Air Traffic for operational purposes

No flights will be authorized for the purpose of transporting persons to and from the event sites.

September 20, 2002