The Montana State University Bobcats football team was forced to remain at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport on Friday after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a nationwide ground stop for all U.S. air traffic. The team, traveling on an Allegiant charter, disembarked around 3:15 p.m. and is now waiting inside the terminal for the order to be lifted.
FAA cites extraordinary circumstances
The FAA announced the stop, describing it as a safety measure taken “due to extraordinary circumstances.” All flights scheduled to depart from U.S. airports must remain on the ground, while aircraft already airborne are permitted to continue to their destinations. Officials said the restriction will stay in effect until further notice.
Impact on the Bobcats’ travel plans
According to airport CEO Brian Sprenger, eight airliners are currently grounded at Bozeman Yellowstone International (BZN). The Bobcats were slated to fly to Cheyenne, Wyoming, then drive to Greeley, Colorado, for a noon game against Northern Colorado tomorrow. With the ground stop in place, the team’s travel itinerary is uncertain.
“I’m on board traveling with the team,” MTN Sports reporter Toni Wetmore said. “At around 3:15, the team got off the plane and are now waiting inside the airport. The team told me they don’t know what’s going to happen next.”
What triggered the nationwide halt?
An anonymous air traffic controller told Scripps News that a frequency issue at an East Coast airport prompted an initial ground stop at approximately 3:36 p.m. Eastern Time. Within minutes, two additional control towers reported similar problems, leading the FAA to expand the order to a nationwide level.
Looking ahead
The FAA has not provided a timeline for when the ground stop will be lifted. Travelers and airlines are advised to monitor official FAA communications for updates. The Bobcats and their supporters will await further information before resuming travel to their upcoming game.
This story will be updated as more details become available.
Original reporting: KTVQ Q2 Billings (local) — read the source article.
