Norad fighter jets intercept multiple aircraft during World Cup final in New Jersey

The leaders of Canada, U.S., and Mexico were together for the World Cup final match, bringing political questions into the spotlight. Jeremie Charron reports.

Norad fighter jets intercepted multiple aircraft over New Jersey on Sunday as U.S. President Donald Trump attended the World Cup final.

According to Norad, at least 10 general aviation aircraft violated temporary flight restrictions over Bedminster and East Rutherford, N.J., on Sunday, including three that required intercepts by American F-16 fighter jets.

“During two of the intercepts, Norad aircraft dispensed flares, which may have been visible to the public,” a Norad news release explained. “The flares were used to draw the pilots’ attention.”

Short for North American Aerospace Defense Command, Norad is the joint Canada-U.S. defence group responsible for safeguarding the continent from incoming attacks.

Trump attended the World Cup final on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J., alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

Also known as “no-fly zones,” Norad enforces “temporary flight restrictions” to help protect the U.S. president. Norad urges all pilots to check what are known as “Notice to Airmen” or “NOTAMS” before embarking on flights in order to avoid restricted airspace.

“All general aviation aircraft were safely escorted out of the area by Norad aircraft,” Norad said in the news release.

“Should Norad aircraft intercept a general aviation aircraft, the pilot should immediately come up on frequency 121.5 or 243.0 and turn around to reverse course until receiving additional instructions on one of those frequencies.”