FAA grounds all flights to and from El Paso until Feb. 20

EL PASO, Texas — The Federal Aviation Administration has lifted a temporary flight restriction over El Paso, allowing air traffic to resume after a late-night shutdown Tuesday halted all arrivals and departures.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the closure was triggered by what he described as a “cartel drone” incursion into U.S. airspace. According to Duffy, federal agencies responded quickly to neutralize the situation, and authorities later determined there was no ongoing threat to commercial aviation.

The restriction, issued around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, initially suspended all commercial, cargo, and general aviation flights in and out of El Paso International Airport for what was expected to last 10 days. However, the order was rescinded at approximately 7 a.m. Wednesday, after roughly seven hours in effect.

While airspace over El Paso has reopened, Congressman Gabe Vasquez said the Santa Teresa airspace will remain restricted for 10 days, though flights at the nearby airport are not being affected.

Reports indicated the shutdown followed a Pentagon plan to deploy counter-drone technology near the southern border. Sources said the Department of Defense used high-energy laser systems to disable what were believed to be foreign drones. In at least one instance, officials later determined the object was a party balloon, which was shot down.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the matter during her morning briefing, stating that Mexico had no information regarding drone use near the border and said U.S. authorities could request cooperation if necessary.

The abrupt closure drew criticism from local leaders, who said they were not informed in advance. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar called the decision unprecedented and said it caused significant concern in the community. She added that neither her office nor city officials had been notified beforehand and urged the FAA to quickly reverse the order.

Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales noted that a similar temporary flight restriction occurred in Hudspeth County in 2025 and said he was working with federal officials to ensure the current situation was resolved safely and promptly.

El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson criticized the lack of coordination, arguing that restricting airspace over a major border city without consulting local authorities, hospitals, and emergency services created unnecessary risks. He said medical evacuation flights were diverted to Las Cruces and emphasized that such decisions can have serious public safety implications. Johnson said city leaders worked alongside Escobar, Fort Bliss officials, and other partners to push for answers and restore normal operations.

El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego, who oversees emergency management for the county, also said he had not been informed ahead of the shutdown. He stressed that transparency is essential when actions directly affect regional safety and emergency response efforts.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott credited federal authorities with eliminating the threat, which allowed the FAA to lift the restriction.

Officials at University Medical Center of El Paso said the temporary grounding did not disrupt patient transfers by air but noted they were prepared to use alternate methods if necessary. The hospital said staffing, supplies, and contingency plans were in place to maintain uninterrupted care, and coordination was maintained with other healthcare providers and emergency services throughout the incident.

Airport data showed six cancellations and five delays Wednesday morning. The City of Las Cruces reported receiving about nine diverted flights—primarily corporate aircraft—which later returned to El Paso once the restriction was lifted.

An audio recording from air traffic control captured a pilot expressing surprise when informed of the sudden airspace closure, underscoring how abruptly the order was implemented.

Source: KFOX14