COLUMBUS, Ohio—The Cleveland Browns’ plans for a new stadium near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport have hit unexpected turbulence from state aviation officials, who are denying a construction permit on the grounds that the proposed stadium would obstruct air traffic.

It’s not yet clear how significant of a hurdle ODOT’s decision will be for Browns officials, who have been working on plans for more than a year to build a new, covered stadium on a 175-acre site in suburban Brook Park, just east of the airport.

The Browns have expressed confusion with the state’s decision, saying it’s at odds with the Federal Aviation Administration’s conclusion that the new stadium would pose no airspace hazards.

ODOT spokesman Matt Bruning, in a statement early Friday evening, said that the stat

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