El Paso Airspace Briefly Closed, Then Quickly Reopened

The skies over El Paso were briefly closed for security reasons on February 11, 2026. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) closed the airspace around the airport but reopened it just hours later, saying there was no danger to flights.
By Newsroom | Aviation, Security |

Brief but Disruptive: El Paso Airspace Closure Ends

On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the skies over El Paso, Texas, experienced an abrupt closure and equally swift reopening. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initially imposed a restriction on all flights in the airspace around El Paso International Airport, citing "special security reasons." This move, which was planned to last for 10 days, caused immediate disruption, grounding commercial, cargo, and even medical flights. However, mere hours later, the FAA reversed its decision, lifting the closure and stating that there was "no threat to commercial aviation." All flights were expected to resume as normal.

Events Unfold Rapidly

The initial closure of El Paso's airspace was announced with very little warning. Local authorities, including the city of El Paso and airport operations, reported receiving no advance notice. The FAA provided only a few hours' notice to local officials and air traffic controllers, leading to confusion and immediate flight cancellations.

Read More: Cork Airport Flights Delayed by Many Problems

  • Tuesday Night: Flight trackers indicated the last plane arrived at El Paso International Airport just before 11 p.m. local time.

  • Early Wednesday Morning: The FAA announced a temporary closure of the airspace. An earlier FAA notice reportedly mentioned drone activity over El Paso, according to The Wall Street Journal.

  • Wednesday Morning: The FAA lifted the airspace closure, with operations set to resume. Airlines like Southwest, United, American, and Delta, which serve El Paso, had previously paused operations at the direction of the FAA.

Evidence of the Event

The swiftness of the FAA's actions and the lack of prior communication are key points of evidence.

  • Official Statements: The FAA released social media posts confirming the lifting of the temporary closure, emphasizing that there was "no threat to commercial aviation" and that flights would resume.

  • Airline Communications: Southwest Airlines issued a statement confirming they had paused all operations to and from El Paso at the FAA's direction.

  • Pilot and Controller Interactions: Radio communications from El Paso International Airport revealed a "dumbfounded pilot" of a passenger plane being informed of the inability to depart the next day. An air traffic controller was also heard questioning an arriving Southwest flight about its departure plans.

  • Visual Evidence: Photos from early Wednesday morning showed "nearly deserted" airport halls.

Initial Closure and Reopening

The FAA's decision to close the airspace was sudden and unexpected. The restriction extended 11 miles from El Paso International Airport, but specifically excluded Mexican airspace. The stated reason for the closure was "special security reasons," with one report indicating an earlier FAA notice had mentioned drone activity.

Read More: New Security Group Formed in Sahel Region

The reversal came just hours after the initial announcement, with the FAA quickly asserting that commercial flights posed no risk. This rapid change in operational status raises questions about the initial assessment or the nature of the perceived threat.

US reopens airspace over Texas border town, with 'no threat' to commercial flights - 1

Impact on Travelers and Operations

The abrupt closure caused significant concern for travelers and airline operations.

  • Passenger Impact: Travelers were advised by the airport to contact their airlines for the most up-to-date flight status information. The airport itself reported that all flights would be grounded.

  • Airline Response: Airlines, caught off guard by the short notice, had to immediately adjust schedules and operations. Southwest Airlines, for instance, confirmed pausing all flights.

  • Lack of Advance Notice: A consistent point of frustration mentioned by city officials and airport personnel was the complete absence of advance notice regarding the closure. This created an immediate operational challenge and left employees "unsure what prompted the halt."

The "Security Reasons" Enigma

While the FAA cited "special security reasons" and an earlier notice reportedly mentioned drone activity, the specific nature of the threat that led to the closure and subsequent rapid reopening remains unclear.

Read More: Cyber Attacks Are Happening More Often

The lack of detailed public information regarding the security concern fuels speculation. However, the FAA's definitive statement that there was "no threat to commercial aviation" suggests that the immediate risk, if any, was contained or resolved quickly. The implication of drone activity, if accurate, would point towards a specific type of aerial security concern.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The airspace over El Paso, Texas, was subject to a brief but impactful closure on February 11, 2026. The FAA's sudden decision to restrict flights, citing "special security reasons," was quickly followed by a reversal, with the agency assuring the public that commercial aviation was not threatened.

The events highlight a potential disconnect between federal security assessments and local operational readiness, given the lack of advance notice provided to El Paso officials and airport operations.

Read More: El Paso Airspace Closed for 10 Days for Security Reasons

  • Next Steps: Further official statements or disclosures from the FAA detailing the specifics of the security concern would provide a more complete understanding of the incident. Continued monitoring of FAA advisories and any potential follow-up communications from the agency regarding this event is warranted.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why was El Paso's airspace closed?
The FAA said it was for 'special security reasons.' Some reports mentioned possible drone activity.
Q: How long was the airspace closed?
It was closed for only a few hours on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, even though it was planned for 10 days.
Q: Were travelers affected?
Yes, many flights were stopped. People had to check with their airlines for updates.
Q: Was there a danger to planes?
The FAA said there was no threat to commercial flights and that everything was safe.
Q: Did anyone know about the closure beforehand?
No, local officials and the airport were not told ahead of time, which caused confusion.