The Wisconsin football team successfully reached Maryland as scheduled on Nov. 13, avoiding the widespread travel disruptions caused by a nationwide ground stop.
According to “Wisconsin sports information”, the team charter departed from Dane County Regional Airport at 1:58 p.m. CT.
The flight landed in Baltimore at 4:43 p.m. ET, completing the trip before the “extraordinary circumstances and safety concerns” triggered the FAA order.
The Federal Aviation Administration issued the directive on the afternoon of Nov. 13 due to an air traffic control issue that impacted facilities across the United States.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy addressed the nature of the technical failure in a statement posted to social media.
The official clarified that the incident was “a communication issue that impacts all air traffic control centers”, as reported by the secretary.
While the Badgers managed to navigate the logistical challenges, the ground stop significantly affected travel plans for numerous other Week 11 college football programs.
The team is currently in Maryland for their upcoming matchup at SECU Stadium, as noted by “local coverage from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel”.
The successful arrival of the team ensures that the game remains on schedule despite the national aviation crisis.
The Badgers had previously been focused on their internal preparations, with “player development efforts led by Cooper Catalano” helping the roster prepare for the late-season contest.
The FAA continues to work on resolving the underlying technical problems that led to the grounding of flights nationwide.
Authorities have not yet provided a specific timeline for when all air traffic operations will fully normalize across the country.
For now, the Wisconsin squad remains in position to proceed with their scheduled conference play in Maryland.