Shahid Khan's aircraft lands in Champaign as U of I reexamines honorary degree process

Shahid Khan's Bombardier Global 7500 (N919FG) was tracked departing from Chute-Des-Passes/Lac Margane Seaplane Base in Quebec and landing at University of Illinois Willard Airport on June 24, a flight of just over two hours at 43,000 feet.

If Shahid Khan was aboard, the timing would place him in Champaign-Urbana the same week the University of Illinois System continues to reexamine its honorary degree process — a review prompted by Khan's rejection of an honorary degree two years ago, per a report from IPM Newsroom. The Ninth Senate Review Commission has been considering changes to keep nominations private, after the public discussion of Khan's case was described as "embarrassing" by some senators.

Khan, a University of Illinois alumnus and the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Fulham FC, was named commencement speaker for the May 12 ceremonies earlier this year, as noted by the university's News Bureau. While no prior flights are on file for this aircraft, the visit would be consistent with his ongoing philanthropic and advisory ties to the institution.