Chiefs plane briefly stranded at Kansas City airport amid icy conditions, blizzard warning
The Kansas City Chiefs can eliminate the rival Denver Broncos from playoff contention by beating them in Sunday's Week 18 game, but only after an unexpectedly extended stay in Missouri. Just ahead of a scheduled takeoff Saturday, the Chiefs' team plane was stranded at Kansas City International Airport (MCI) due to "rapid ice accumulation" on the airfield, as CBS Sports' Tracy Wolfson reported.
The airport closure lasted only about two hours, but it came amid warnings of a major winter storm in the Kansas City area, with the National Weather Service forecasting blizzard conditions starting Saturday afternoon and lasting into Monday. Officials had indicated that travel may be "impossible" once heavy snow begins to fall Sunday afternoon, with wind gusts also estimated to reach 35-40 miles per hour, as KMBC reported.
The Chiefs were originally scheduled to land in Denver at about 3 p.m. local time Saturday, per Wolfson. Their delayed travel isn't expected to impact Sunday's scheduled game.
Icy runways delay Kansas City Chiefs' flight to Denver for game against Broncos
Icy runways at the Kansas City International Airport (MCI) almost spelled trouble for Sunday's game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos.
MCI posted on X Saturday afternoon, stating the airfield was closed to flight operations "due to rapid ice accumulation." This left the Chief's flight stranded while they waited for the airfield to be cleared. According to CBS Sports, the airport closure was due to a major winter storm in the area. The National Weather Service forecast blizzard-like conditions starting Saturday afternoon.
After an hour and a half Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas announced that crews "successfully treated airfield surfaces and the runways and taxiways" and flight operations were restored.
The Cheif's plane was delayed two hours and 43 minutes from its scheduled departure and is scheduled to arrive at Denver International Airport at 5:43 p.m. Their chartered jet was the first to depart the airport.
The Broncos will take their last shot to reach the playoffs when they face off against the Chiefs on Sunday afternoon.
Chiefs finally depart KC for Denver amid ice storm after 4 hours spent waiting on the tarmac
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs finally departed from Kansas City International Airport for their game in Denver on Saturday after spending about four hours stranded on the tarmac amid an ice storm that blanketed the region ahead of an impending blizzard.
The Chiefs tried to move up the flight as the weather, which had been predicted all week, bared down on them. But the plane they were expected to use was delayed in arriving, so the team had to stick with its mid-afternoon departure, and just before it took off, airport officials announced that all flight operations were suspended due to “rapid ice accumulation.”
There was a brief break between the line of ice that had glazed Kansas City and the arrival of heavy snow, which was expected to last all of Sunday. That provided enough time to de-ice the plane, clear the runway and get the Chiefs off the ground.
Their chartered jet was the first to depart once airport operations resumed.
The Chiefs (15-1) have clinched the No. 1 seed in the playoffs and a first-round bye, rendering their regular-season finale moot for them. But the game has significant meaning for Denver, which could clinch its own playoff berth with a win.
Earlier this week, Chiefs coach Andy Reid said he planned to rest quarterback Patrick Mahomes, meaning backup Carson Wentz will get the start. The Chiefs also declared right tackle Jawaan Taylor (knee) and running back Isiah Pacheco (ribs) out, while stars such as defensive tackle Chris Jones and tight end Travis Kelce were expected to get the game off.
The Chiefs will have to wait to find out their playoff opponent. The earliest they would play in the divisional round is Jan. 18.
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