Texas Longhorns Cleared for New Takeoff Time After FAA Lifts Ground Stoppage
Stoppage Delays Texas Flight
Texas planned to leave Austin on Friday for Baton Rouge, where it is scheduled to face the LSU Tigers this weekend. As the team prepared to take off, the FAA announced a nationwide stoppage of flights in the United States.
The team had to leave the plane and return to campus. A little more than four and a half hours later, the FAA lifted the stoppage, allowing Texas to revise its travel plans.
New Departure Time Set
According to American Airlines and FlightRadar.com, the Longhorns are scheduled to depart Austin for Baton Rouge at 8:47 p.m. CT on Friday. The trip from Austin to Baton Rouge or New Orleans is described as taking about 90 minutes by air.
The report said Texas was expected to reach Baton Rouge that night if the FAA did not issue another stoppage. It also said a second stoppage after the plane was airborne would likely not prevent it from landing.
Kickoff And Conference Response
Despite the travel delay, the report said the scheduled 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff at Tiger Stadium on Saturday was not expected to change. Commercial flights around the country could continue to face delays while new departure times are arranged.
The SEC said it was in close contact with member schools to assess disruptions and coordinate responses. The conference added that it would keep monitoring developments and consider adjustments to scheduled games if needed.
Key points
- The FAA lifted its nationwide flight stoppage a little more than four and a half hours after it began.
- Texas is scheduled to leave Austin for Baton Rouge at 8:47 p.m. CT on Friday.
- The report said the delay was not expected to affect Saturday’s 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff against LSU.
- The SEC said it was monitoring possible disruptions and coordinating with member institutions.