Two sold-out charter airplane flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Phoenix, packed with NC State fans, were significantly delayed Friday morning. The flights were supposed to depart at 10 a.m. and noon.
The official travel company of the NCAA and the NC State Wolfpack Club began contacting fans early in the morning to inform them that both charter flights were significantly delayed.
“Dear Valued Wolfpack Club Guest:
“Last night we were notified by our charter airline, Avelo Airlines, that the second airplane being used today for NC State had a serious mechanical issue and could not be repaired in time for its departure. After very quickly reviewing all options that would impact you the least, we were able to secure another plane through GlobalX Airlines. Due to the change in airlines, your departure time has changed.”
“The departure time for the White Charter is now scheduled for 6:45 PM ET.”
Fans paid a minimum $4,000 per person that included the charter flights, four nights accommodations, a pre-game party and a welcome party. (Game tickets were an added cost.) Fans will miss the welcome party and will be traveling during the NC State Women’s Final Four game versus South Carolina.
“We realize this is not ideal and sincerely apologize,” the notice read. “Our number one goal is to get everyone to Phoenix safely. Furthermore, we realize that this impacts the Wolfpack Takeover experience and you will be refunded for that experience.”
The second charter flight was also delayed because of staffing issues and overtime rules.
“Our charter provider, Avelo Airlines, just notified us that the plane being used for the Red Charter will be delayed getting into RDU due to air traffic control and fueling issues last night,” the notice read. “These issues led to their flight crew exceeding their FAA allowed maximum working hours which necessitated a rest period.”
“Because of this, your new departure time for the Red Charter is now scheduled for 7 PM ET.”
Both flights are now expected to take off just as the NC State women’s game tips off. Fans reported on message boards that the charter aircraft does not have access to wireless or TV broadcasts.
On message boards, fans who are delayed appear to be taking the delays in stride, just happy NC State is returning to the Final Four for the first time since 1983.
The NC State Wolfpack Club opened its offices to fans who traveled from outside the Raleigh area. Fans were provided lunch and were able to take photoswith NC State’s ACC Tournament and NCAA Regional Finals championship trophies.
NC State is not the only university that faced travel difficulties. After more than eight hours of delays, UConn‘s men’s basketball team finally took off from Connecticut at 1:33 a.m. Thursday. Sources on the plane texted the news to CBS Sports as the aircraft was speeding down the runway at Bradley International Airport in Hartford County, Connecticut.
The Huskies were initially supposed to be wheels up by 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday, but got delayed due to mechanical issues with their scheduled plane, UConn coach Dan Hurley told CBS Sports earlier in the day.
The team plane finally touched down in Arizona at 6:12 a.m. ET/3:12 a.m. PT on Thursday.
UConn fans in the greater New York City area also suffered delays getting to the Women’s Final Four in Cleveland and the Men’s Final Four in Phoenix after most flights at the major NYC area airports were halted after a magnitude 4.8 earthquake rattled the area around 10:30 a.m. Friday. According to the United States Geological Survey, the epicenter was about 45 miles away from New York City, in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey.