FAA Grounds All Flights at El Paso International Airport for 10 Days; Reports Cite Security Threat Involving Airspace Breaches
EL PASO, Texas – In an unprecedented move that has left thousands of travelers stranded and local officials demanding answers, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has closed the airspace over El Paso International Airport (ELP) for 10 days. The closure, effective immediately through February 21, 2026, cites “special security reasons” and designates the skies above the border city as “national defense airspace.”
Current Situation and Official Explanations
The FAA issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) late Tuesday, strictly prohibiting all commercial, cargo, and general aviation flights within a 10-nautical-mile radius of the airport. The directive warns that pilots who do not comply “may be intercepted, detained, and interviewed by law enforcement,” and that the U.S. government may use “deadly force” against aircraft determined to pose an imminent security threat.
While the FAA has remained vague in its public statements, CNN reports that the shutdown is driven by intensified military operations at the nearby Biggs Army Airfield, which shares airspace with the civilian airport. According to sources briefed on the matter, the decision to ground civilian traffic was made after military officials could not assure the safety of passenger aircraft during upcoming counter-operations.
Drone Incursions and Border Security
The abrupt closure appears linked to escalating tensions regarding unauthorized drone activity along the southern border. Reports indicate that the Department of Defense is deploying advanced counter-drone technology to address what sources describe as a significant increase in Mexican cartel drones breaching U.S. airspace.
Though the FAA has not officially confirmed the specific “cartel” attribution in its public notice, defense sources suggest the airspace is being cleared to allow the U.S. military—specifically units operating out of Fort Bliss and Biggs Army Airfield—unimpeded freedom to track and neutralize these aerial threats without risking collateral damage to civilian airliners.
Local Backlash and Objections
The sudden order has sparked confusion and frustration among local leaders who say they were left in the dark. U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) released a statement calling the decision “highly consequential” and “unprecedented.”
“There was no advance notice provided to my office, the City of El Paso, or anyone involved in airport operations,” Escobar stated. “From what my office and I have been able to gather… there is no immediate threat to the community or surrounding areas, [but] we have urged the FAA to immediately lift the Temporary Flight Restrictions.”
Critics of the decision argue that shutting down a major transportation hub for over a week causes severe economic damage and panic, suggesting that such measures should only be taken in the event of a confirmed, imminent attack rather than for preemptive military maneuvers.
Background and Context
El Paso International Airport typically handles roughly 100 flights daily. The closure is the most significant airspace restriction over a major U.S. city since the attacks of September 11, 2001.
This incident follows months of growing concern regarding the capabilities of transnational criminal organizations. In recent years, border patrol agents have reported a sharp rise in the use of surveillance drones by cartels to monitor U.S. law enforcement gaps. The escalation to a “national defense airspace” designation suggests authorities now view these incursions not merely as criminal surveillance, but as a potential threat to national sovereignty and safety.
Travelers scheduled to fly into or out of El Paso before February 21 are advised to contact their airlines immediately, as carriers including Southwest, American, and United have cancelled all operations at the hub.
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