The NCAA released a letter to all Division I athletic directors and head coaches in men’s and women’s basketball, cautioning that there could be difficulty for teams traveling during the early rounds of March Madness, according to SportsTravel.
“Nationwide, significantly fewer charter aircraft are available due to several factors outside of NCAA control,” the NCAA said in the letter. “The logistical challenge of moving almost all participating teams for both tournaments within 12-72 hours beginning (Selection) Sunday night is compounded by the busy spring break travel season, the national shortage of charter aircraft nationwide and the potential TSA impact of the partial government shutdown."
The letter stated that all teams will arrive safely to their destination but advised that extreme flexibility is necessary, especially during the first week.
The NCAA listed how schools could be affected further down in the letter, which included later confirmation of charter departure times when traveling to and from tournament sites, adjustment of departure dates and the need for fuel stops or use of alternative airports.
March Madness begins on Tuesday, March 17, and takes place in different arenas across the country.
The first round will be hosted in Buffalo, New York; Greenville, South Carolina; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Portland, Oregon.
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