ASHWAUBENON - Private aircraft and charter flights that want to touch down in Titletown for the 2025 NFL draft have been strongly encouraged to make a reservation ahead of time.
Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport, Appleton International Airport and the Federal Aviation Administration all anticipate a high volume of commercial, public safety, air taxi and private air traffic when Green Bay hosts the draft April 24-26. Staff at the Green Bay airport and its two fixed-base operators that service private flights, Jet Air Group and Executive Air, don't quite know what to expect, but have prepared to accommodate more aircraft than a typical Green Bay Packers home game.
"It’s difficult because Lambeau Field is a historic stadium and we really don’t know what kind of a draw that will have nationally," said Dylan Masse, operations manager for Jet Air Group. "I really don’t know because we’ve never had a draft in Green Bay."
Green Bay Airport director Marty Piette said the anticipated surge in private traffic is another unique element to Green Bay hosting the NFL draft. Airlines have added commercial flights into Green Bay and Appleton for the draft, but he expects private flights will offset the fewer opportunities to fly commercially into Green Bay compared to prior NFL draft host cities like Detroit, Kansas City and Nashville.
Special air traffic procedures announced for Green Bay, Appleton airports during the NFL draft
The Federal Aviation Administration on March 13 announced Special Air Traffic Procedures will go into effect April 23-26 for GRB and ATW to enhance safety and minimize delays at both airports. Those procedures include a request for private flights to make a reservation prior to arrival or departure. In an emailed statement, the FAA said it is working with law enforcement, the region's aviation community and the NFL "to ensure safe, secure and efficient aircraft operations" during the draft.
"General aviation pilots flying near Green Bay, Wisconsin, April 24-26 must be aware of temporary flight restrictions, follow special air traffic procedures and comply with additional operational requirements that may be in effect," the statement said.
Piette said the staff will do its best to accommodate all aircraft that want to arrive and depart from Green Bay. If it is very busy, a flight without a reservation could have to wait to land or take off. If it's extremely busy, Piette said aircraft might be diverted to another airport in the region.
"This draft is in Green Bay. If you want the full draft experience, there should be no reason you can’t fly into and out of Green Bay airport," Piette said. "We’re working with the FAA to make sure that’s possible."
Extended hours at GRB and ATW airports during the NFL draft
The FAA announced Green Bay and Appleton air traffic control towers will operate on extended hours April 23-26 to accommodate draft-related flight activity.
Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport's air traffic control extended hours will be:
- April 23: 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- April 24: 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.
- April 25: 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.
- April 26: 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Appleton International Airport's air traffic control extended hours will be:
- April 23: 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- April 24: 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- April 25: 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- April 26: 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Jet Air Group also plans to be open 24 hours April 23-26 in order to accommodate potential late departures or early arrivals. Executive Air did not return email and voice messages.
What do I need to fly into Green Bay or Appleton airports during the NFL draft?
The FAA from 5:30 a.m. April 23 to 11:30 p.m. April 26 will institute what it calls a Reservation Prior Permission Required program for arrivals, departures and drop-and-go operations at GRB and ATW. The special procedures alert directs pilots to contact Jet Air Group, Executive Air or the airport staff ahead of time.
"The whole idea behind this is to try to set up a reservation system so that air traffic control has a general idea of how many people are coming in and out of the primary airport (Green Bay) and the secondary airport (Appleton)," Piette said.
Piette also said a reservation can help make sure the fixed-base operators have space for all aircraft and no one gets parked in.
How will the NFL draft compare to a Packers home game?
Variables like weather, opponent and playoff implications can dramatically impact the volume of arrivals and departures for a Green Bay Packers home game. Masse said Jet Air generally averages about 40-50 aircraft for an average home game, but the number can exceed 100 if it's a playoff game or major showdown.
Airport officials estimate the draft could triple the activity related to an average Packers home game. But, much like Packers games, they said the weather forecast for the draft will play a huge role in how busy Green Bay and Appleton airports get.
Masse said he expects a volume of activity on par with what the Green Bay airport sees during EAA's AirVenture in Oshkosh, but with a difference: The aircraft coming won't be Cessnas and Pipers, so much as Gulfstream business jets.
"That's larger than any aircraft based in Green Bay currently," Masse said.
Piette did note one other big difference between a typical Packers home game and preparing for the draft.
"A Packers game is all one day," Piette said. "This will be a living, moving animal for a week."
Contact business reporter Jeff Bollier at (920) 431-8387 or jbollier@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JeffBollier.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Green Bay, Appleton airports expect a very busy NFL draft week
