The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a notice on Wednesday, suspending all flights to and from El Paso International Airport in Texas due to “special security reasons.” The airport, situated near the Biggs Army Airfield and the Mexican city of Juarez, initially announced a 10-day flight halt starting just before midnight on Feb. 11.
Subsequently, the FAA announced the lifting of the airspace closure over El Paso shortly before 9 a.m. ET on Wednesday. The agency clarified that there was no threat to commercial aviation and that flights would resume as usual.
Unnamed U.S. government and airline sources revealed that the FAA closed the airspace out of concerns regarding potential risks to air traffic posed by a laser-based counterdrone system being tested by the U.S. army near Fort Bliss, adjacent to El Paso International Airport. The FAA removed the restrictions after the army agreed to conduct more safety tests before implementing the system.
The unexpected closure of El Paso’s airspace surprised the White House, triggering efforts by law enforcement agencies to investigate the situation. The FAA lifted the restrictions following discussions in the office of White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy attributed the closure to a drone incursion by a Mexican drug cartel. However, officials noted that drone sightings near airports typically result in brief traffic pauses, not prolonged closures, and such incursions are common in the El Paso region.
Numerous aircraft from Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and American Airlines were stranded at El Paso International Airport, which handles approximately four million passengers annually. El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson criticized the lack of communication from the FAA to local authorities before shutting down the airspace.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed unawareness of drones being used on the border with the United States. She mentioned that Mexican defense and navy secretaries would meet with U.S. Northern Command officials to discuss sovereignty matters.
El Paso, with a population of around 680,000 people, is the 23rd largest city in the U.S. and its airport served 3.49 million passengers in the first 11 months of 2025. The closure of airspace over an American city is rare, echoing actions taken nationwide after the 9/11 attacks.
In mid-January, the FAA cautioned airlines about flying over Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America due to potential military activities. Tensions between the U.S. and regional leaders escalated following U.S. military actions in the southern Caribbean and against Venezuela. President Donald Trump’s statements on drug cartels and potential military interventions in Mexico have added to the strained relations.