Charlie Kirk’s casket arrives in Phoenix on Air Force Two on Sept. 11
Charlie Kirk’s casket was flown to Phoenix on Air Force Two with Vice President JD Vance on Sept. 11, 2025, the day after he was fatally shot in Utah.
- A public memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 21, at State Farm Stadium.
- President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance are expected to attend the service.
- The FAA has issued temporary flight restrictions over parts of metro Phoenix.
Charlie Kirk’s public memorial service, which President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance are expected to attend, is scheduled for Sept. 21 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.
Thousands are expected to attend the service for the conservative activist, who was shot and killed on Sept. 10 at an event at Utah Valley University.
The Federal Aviation Administration implemented temporary flight restrictions over parts of metro Phoenix for security and VIP movement. The restrictions will be in effect throughout the weekend.
Here’s what we know about the temporary flight restrictions and how the funeral will impact flights out of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Where will Donald Trump and JD Vance land for the Charlie Kirk funeral?
Trump, Vance and other notable figures attending the funeral are most likely to fly through Luke Air Force Base, according to FAA documents.
The FAA’s notice of temporary flight restrictions for VIP movement showed the coordinates for Luke Air Force Base, about seven miles from State Farm Stadium. (Sky Harbor is slightly more than 20 miles away.) Restrictions will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
It further stated that all aircraft are prohibited from flying within 10 nautical miles of the base, except for military aircraft directly supporting the president and the Secret Service.
Temporary flight restrictions for Charlie Kirk funeral in Glendale
The FAA issued temporary flight restrictions for airspace near State Farm Stadium for the following times:
Friday, Sept. 19: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for special security reasons.
Sunday, Sept. 21: 7 a.m. to 5:01 p.m. for special security reasons.
Flying within 10 nautical miles of State Farm Stadium will be prohibited except for emergency medical, public safety and military aircraft in coordination with air traffic control, according to the FAA.
Will flights at Phoenix Sky Harbor be affected by the Charlie Kirk funeral?
Sky Harbor is within 30 nautical miles of the stadium. The FAA told The Arizona Republic that the temporary flight restrictions “should not affect regularly scheduled commercial flights” to and from the airport.
Presidential and vice presidential visits have impacted Sky Harbor before. Airport spokesman Greg Roybal encourages passengers or family coming to Sky Harbor to follow these tips for traveling during busy times:
- Check your flight status with your airline before coming to the airport.
- Allow extra time to get to the airport, check bags, and get through TSA security checkpoints.
- Consider using the PHX Sky Train stations at 44th Street and 24th Street to bypass road congestion.
Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com.