Chelsea Clinton wedding will be a no-fly zone

Chelsea Clinton, her family, and other VIPs attending the wedding will prompt the FAA to declare a no-fly zone 90 minutes north of New York City.

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Mike Groll/AP
Astor Courts is seen in Rhinebeck, N.Y., in this July 28 aerial photograph. Chelsea Clinton plans to marry fiance Marc Mezvinsky at Astor Courts on Saturday.

Chelsea Clinton's wedding along the Hudson River will be under a no-fly zone.

The Federal Aviation Administration says local airspace will be restricted from 3 p.m. Saturday to 3:30 a.m. Sunday.

Clinton, the daughter of former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, will wed investment banker Marc Mezvinsky on Saturday evening in Rhinebeck. That's about 90 miles north of New York City.

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FAA spokesman Jim Peters said Thursday that decisions to restrict air space are made in consultation with other federal agencies. He could not confirm whether the Secret Service requested this one.

The FAA website says the restriction will be in place for "VIP (Very Important Person) Movement" but did not elaborate.

Security experts said the list of people qualifying for VIP status is limited to the highest of government officials — and that former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton would qualify.

"It's good policy. You do have a former president showing up at a big event; it's only prudent that the FAA does this," said Michael Boyd, airline consultant and president of the Boyd Group International in Evergreen, Colo.

There were no indications Thursday that access to the Hudson River near the estate was being similarly restricted. Sgt. Michael Dampf of the Dutchess County Sheriff's marine patrol said it planned no operational changes Saturday and had not received any restriction notices from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Amtrak, which runs passenger trains along the river, expected no changes in service Saturday, said spokesman Cliff Cole.

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