FAA Ground Stop Creates Travel Uncertainty for Bulls

The Chicago Bulls were the only local team identified as facing a potential travel issue after the Federal Aviation Administration grounded flights nationwide on November 13. They are scheduled to play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night, and the team had planned to leave Chicago on Friday after its game against Atlanta. A bus trip or a rescheduling could become options if air travel remains disrupted, the report said.

Other Chicago-area teams appeared to have their weekend plans largely intact. The Winnipeg Jets arrived ahead of the stoppage and practiced at the United Center before their Saturday afternoon game against the Blackhawks. Notre Dame’s opponent, Boston College, was already in South Bend for Saturday’s game, while Northwestern had reached Columbus before its matchup with Ohio State.

The Bears are on a bye, and the Illini football team was already in Los Angeles before Friday’s road game against UCLA. Illinois’ men’s basketball game against Sam Houston State began as scheduled Friday evening. Northwestern’s Friday basketball game against DePaul required no air travel, and its women’s team had reached Morgantown for its game against West Virginia.

Loyola’s men’s team was already in Colorado for Saturday’s game at Colorado State after playing Air Force on Wednesday. Its remaining concern was whether flights would resume in time for the trip home. Loyola’s women host Milwaukee on Saturday, and Northern Illinois hosts Nevada after the visiting team had reached DeKalb before the stoppage.

The disruption also affected teams elsewhere. The Brooklyn Nets’ flight from New Orleans to Memphis was halted, while the San Jose Sharks did not get their flight to Utah in time for a Saturday game. Further delays were possible when flights resumed, adding uncertainty to teams’ travel plans.