Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell criticized the temporary closure of El Paso airport by the Federal Aviation Administration due to safety concerns regarding a military laser-based anti-drone system. The FAA initially shut down the Texas airport for 10 days after the Pentagon decided to deploy the anti-drone system without completing a safety analysis. However, the shutdown was lifted just eight hours later.
During a hearing, Sen. Cantwell highlighted the need for better coordination between the Department of Defense and the FAA. According to sources familiar with the situation, the Pentagon permitted U.S. Customs and Border Protection to use the anti-drone laser in the area.
The abrupt closure of the 71st busiest airport in the U.S., located near the Mexican border, caused inconvenience to air travelers and disrupted medical evacuation flights. The FAA cited concerns about potential risks to air traffic from the Army’s laser-based counter-drone system, prompting the airspace closure.
Republican Senator Ted Cruz, the chair of the commerce committee, called for a classified briefing to gain a better understanding of the situation. The closure was initially attributed to a drone incursion by a Mexican drug cartel, but officials noted that drone sightings typically result in brief traffic pauses, not extended closures.
Congressman Tony Gonzales, whose district covers a significant portion of the Texas-Mexico border, mentioned that cartel drone sightings are common in the region. Steven Willoughby from the Department of Homeland Security shared that cartels use drones regularly to transport drugs and surveil Border Patrol agents along the border.
Mexican officials, including President Claudia Sheinbaum, expressed skepticism about the drone incursion claim made by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. This incident highlighted communication challenges between the FAA and the Pentagon, reminiscent of previous safety data sharing issues following a tragic midair collision near Washington, D.C.
Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth criticized the lack of coordination within the administration, emphasizing the need for improved communication and collaboration in such critical matters. The El Paso airport closure led to flight cancellations and rerouted medical evacuation flights during the brief shutdown.