Super Bowl LX question: Why was the commercial air space left open during game?

by Pat Freeman, The Mighty O’Ba

Pat Freeman, The Mighty O’Ba

After each Super Bowl that I have covered, it is customary for me to reflect on each experi ence. Each championship game I try to arrive at the stadium early so I can get a feel for the game and the environment. This year I noticed that commercial air traffic remained open for the entire game.

Ten years ago, I covered Super Bowl Fifty, at the exact same place and I do not remember seeing any commercial flights going over the stadium once the game started. This year I noticed commercial flights were going over the stadium throughout the game. Each time a plane went over the stadium I kept one eye on it, always remembering what happened on 9/11.

My question is why were planes allowed to fly over one of the world’s largest sporting events? The greater question is who approved such a breach of judgement that would allow commercial air traffic to fly over a high-level security event such as the Super Bowl?

This error in judgement could have been an international disaster and should be reviewed by congress. It is my hope that this article triggers a inquiry so that this lapse in judgement never hap pens again.