Passengers queue at El Paso International Airport after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration lifted its temporary closure of the airspace over El Paso, saying all flights will resume as normal and that there was no threat to commercial aviation, in El Paso, Texas, U.S., February 11, 2026. | REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) abruptly suspended all flights into and out of El Paso International Airport early Wednesday, announcing a 10-day grounding through February 20 over unspecified “special security reasons.” The order applied to all aircraft operations; commercial, cargo and general aviation under a temporary flight restriction covering airspace over El Paso and nearby Santa Teresa, New Mexico.
Hours after the closure began, the FAA lifted the restriction and reopened the airspace, saying there was no ongoing threat to commercial aviation and that normal flight operations could resume.
The FAA and Department of Transportation have not publicly detailed the specific security concern that prompted the initial suspension. Transportation Secretary **Sean Duffy later suggested authorities had acted to address a reported insurgent drone threat associated with cross-border activity, saying the situation was “neutralized.”
El Paso lies on the U.S.–Mexico border adjacent to the Fort Bliss Army post and heavily trafficked civilian airspace, making the initial closure unusually broad and disruptive. Some federal officials and local representatives expressed surprise at the lack of advance notice about the measures early Wednesday.
The temporary grounding had raised concerns among travelers and airlines, with carriers such as Southwest, United and American adjusting schedules amid the uncertainty. Passengers were urged to contact airlines for updated flight information while the FAA and airport authorities worked to clarify the situation.
Because federal agencies have not disclosed more about the nature of the security issue, speculation continues around whether the move was tied to border-region military operations, potential drone incursions or other classified activities impacting civilian airspace.
