AIR TRAFFIC INITIATIVES
BREEDERs’ CUP
2026 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
LEXINGTON, KY
OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 1, 2026
In anticipation of a large number of aircraft operating to and from the Lexington area in conjunction with this event, the following procedures will be used to enhance safety and minimize air traffic delays.
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES
A variety of Traffic Management initiatives may be utilized during the event. They include, but are not limited to, reroutes, miles-in-trail, altitude restrictions, ground stops and ground delay programs.
FLIGHT PLANS/IFR PICKUP
Due to workload and anticipated frequency congestion, except for emergency situations, Indianapolis Center and Lexington ATCT will not accept air filed flight plans to or from the Lexington area. Aircraft on airborne flight plans filed with other facilities may experience lengthy delays.
Airborne activation of IFR flight plans should not be expected within the Lexington area.
BLUEGRASS AIRPORT (LEX)
AIRSPACE
The airspace at LEX is Class C from the surface to and including 5,000 feet MSL within a 5-mile radius of LEX and from 2,200 feet MSL to and including 5,000 feet MSL within a 10-mile radius of LEX.
A Two-way radio, operable transponder with altitude reporting and ADS-B out are required equipment. Communications must be established with ATC prior to entering the airspace.
AIRPORT INFOMRATION
Due to the large number of anticipated aircraft arrivals, pilots landing at Lexington Blue Grass Airport (LEX) and area airports are strongly encouraged to contact the FBO in advance to make reservations for parking, fuel and other services.
FBO: Signature LEX (859) 255-7724
PARKING: Parking will be assigned based on aircraft type. Pre-coordination is STRONGLY encouraged as parking is limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
OVERNIGHT PARKING: All aircraft planning an overnight stay at LEX from October 28, 2022, through November 1, 2026, are required to call the FBO in advance to reserve parking on the ramp.
All other aircraft will be considered ‘Drop and Go Traffic’ and will have 30 minutes maximum time after shut down to reposition aircraft for future aircraft arrivals.
HELICOPTER PARKING: Non-MEDEVAC operations are limited to the west general aviation area.
CUSTOMS: Pilots must secure permission to land by contacting U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) a minimum of one hour prior to departure from the foreign port or place and between regular hours of 0900-1630 EDT, Monday - Friday. After hours arrivals are available by appointment and should be arranged with CBP 0900-1630 EDT, Monday - Friday. Charter flights with 20 or more passengers must be coordinated 7 days in advance during normal operating hours.
US CUSTOMS OPERATING HOURS
MONDAY – FRIDAY 0900-1700 EDT US
CUSTOMS (859) 425-3111
(After hours) (859) 455-6159
ARRIVALS
Monitor the ATIS on 126.3 MHz and advise the controller on initial contact of the appropriate ATIS code.
IFR ARRIVAL ROUTES
IFR aircraft arriving at Lexington Blue Grass Airport (LEX), Capital City Airport (FFT), or Georgetown-Scott County Regional Airport (27K) should file one of the following routes:
Position from LEX | Preferred Route |
NORTH | JIMUR HYK (DEST) |
EAST | JETS: AZQ HYK (DEST) TURBOPROP/PROP: SPROW HYK (DEST) |
SOUTH | UNCKL HYK (DEST) |
WEST | BUSSN GENUS (DEST) |
VFR ARRIVALS
***CLASS C SERVICE IS MANDATORY***
Expect delays outside Lexington Class C airspace during peak traffic periods. VFR advisory service with Lexington approach will be on a workload permitting basis. LEX Approach will not provide ATC Services for practice approaches at LEX, FFT, 27K, 0I8, RGA, IOB, or DVK from October 28 – November 1, 2026.
Squawk 1200 and operate transponder with altitude reporting mode and ADS-B enabled prior to reaching 25 nm of Lexington Airport.
Entering the Lexington Terminal Area from the northeast through southwest (046º - 225º) contact LEX Approach on 120.15 MHz prior to entering Class C airspace.
Entering the Lexington Terminal Area from the southwest through northeast (226º - 045º) contact LEX Approach on 120.75 MHz prior to entering Class C airspace.
Hold 25nm from LEX until advised by Approach Control to proceed inbound.
LEX arrivals from the northeast should avoid flight in the vicinity of Georgetown - Scott County Airport (27K) located 14 nm northeast of LEX.
When runway 4 is active, DO NOT exit the runway prior to taxiway “G” unless instructed by the Tower.
DEPARTURES
Before starting engines, monitor ATIS on 126.3 MHz, and contact Clearance Delivery on 132.35 MHz for the required Class C clearance and any information on departure delays. SAID in use. Operate transponders with altitude reporting mode and ADS-B enabled on all airport surfaces.
IFR DEPARTURE ROUTES
LEX IFR departures should file via one of the preferred departure routes listed below.
Departure Area | Preferred Route |
NORTH | LEX FLM (as requested) |
EAST | JETS: LEX ECB (as requested) TURBOPROP/PROP: LEX TRENT (as requested) |
SOUTH | JETS: LEX FOUNT (as requested) TURBOPROP/PROP: LEX ROSAR (as requested) |
WEST | LEX CLEGG IIU (as requested) |
VFR DEPARTURES
***CLASS C SERVICE IS MANDATORY***
VFR aircraft requesting flight following outside of the Lexington Terminal Area should advise Clearance Delivery of their destination airport, requested altitude and their request for flight following.
VFR aircraft requesting to remain in the Lexington Terminal Area or depart the Terminal Area without further flight following should advise Clearance Delivery of their on course heading and requested altitude.
SATELLITE AIRPORTS
Single and twin-engine propeller aircraft are encouraged to use the satellite airports listed below due to parking congestion at Lexington Blue Grass Airport.
Monitor the appropriate AWOS/ASOS and advise Lexington Approach Control on initial contact of your destination airport, that you have received the weather.
Radar service will be available to aircraft landing at airports outside of Lexington Class C Airspace on a workload permitting basis.
Aircraft departing 27K are strongly encouraged to pick up their IFR clearance on the ground with Lexington Approach on 127.425 MHz. Airborne IFR activation requests may not be accommodated.
Aircraft departing FFT are strongly encouraged to pick up their IFR clearance on the ground with Lexington Approach on 118.65 MHz. Airborne IFR requests may not be accommodated.
***CAUTION***
NUMEROUS AERIAL OPERATIONS
Multiple helicopter, banner tow, airship, and UAS operations in the vicinity of Keeneland Racetrack, located adjacent to Lexington Blue Grass Airport north of US60, Friday, October 30, 2026, and Saturday, October 31, 2026.
PILOTS ARE URGED TO OBTAIN A COMPLETE WEATHER BRIEFING AND REVIEW ALL APPLICABLE NOTAMS PRIOR TO CONDUCTING FLIGHT.
For further information contact:
Indianapolis ARTCC TMU @ 317-247-2243
or
Lexington ATCT @ 859-514-7901
(AJV-C23, 9/18/2026)
