Airspace over El Paso, Texas, and parts of southern New Mexico was subjected to a temporary flight restriction (TFR) beginning late on February 10, initially announced for a 10-day period due to unspecified security reasons. The restriction, affecting all types of aircraft operations, resulted in flight cancellations and diversions at El Paso International Airport before the airspace was reopened after only a few hours. Official explanations for both the initial closure and its swift reversal varied among federal agencies, drawing criticism from local officials and highlighting reported inter-agency coordination challenges.
Airspace Over El Paso Closed for "Security Reasons"
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) on February 10, implementing a temporary flight restriction (TFR) over El Paso, Texas, and the neighboring community of Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The restriction was scheduled to be effective from 11:30 PM Mountain Standard Time (MST) on February 10, until 11:30 PM MST on February 20 or 21, depending on the source. The affected airspace was classified as "National Defense Airspace."
The restriction encompassed all aircraft operations from the ground to 17,000 feet within a 10-nautical-mile range around El Paso International Airport and Fort Bliss. This included commercial, cargo, general aviation, military, medevac helicopters, and law enforcement flights. Pilots were warned that non-adherence could lead to interception, detention, and interviews by law enforcement, and that deadly force might be used against aircraft determined to pose an imminent security threat. Mexican airspace, including Juárez and Santa Teresa Airport, was not included in the restriction.
Immediate Impact and Unexpected Reopening
El Paso International Airport confirmed the halt of all flights, advising travelers to contact their respective airlines for updated status. The last commercial flight to arrive before the restriction was an American Airlines flight from Chicago, while a private plane scheduled to land was diverted to Las Cruces, New Mexico. During the closure, seven arrivals and seven departures were canceled, and some medical evacuation flights were rerouted to Las Cruces. Airport personnel reportedly received notification of the TFR approximately 30 to 60 minutes before its implementation.
Despite the initial 10-day announcement, the airspace over El Paso was reopened after only a few hours on February 11, with normal flights resuming later that morning.
The closure of airspace over a major U.S. city for an extended period is considered a rare event, with some officials noting no comparable action for security reasons since the period following the September 11, 2001, attacks.
Federal Agencies Offer Conflicting Explanations
Federal officials provided differing accounts regarding the specific reasons for the airspace closure and the events leading to it.
Varying Accounts for the Closure
- Initial Security Basis: The FAA initially cited "security considerations" and "special security reasons" for the restriction, without providing further specifics.
- Drone Incursion and Neutralization: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated via social media that the closure was in response to an incursion by a Mexican drug cartel drone into U.S. airspace. He indicated that the U.S. military and FAA addressed the situation, and the "threat has been neutralized."
- Pentagon Laser Test: Sources familiar with the situation reported that the closure stemmed from the Pentagon's plans to test a laser designed to intercept drones used by Mexican drug cartels. One source indicated the laser was used at some point.
Inter-Agency Coordination Challenges Highlighted
Other administration officials stated that the decision to close the airspace was primarily prompted after Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials deployed a high-energy counter-drone laser, on loan from the Pentagon, without coordinating with the FAA about potential risks to civilian flights. The FAA reportedly learned of the laser's operational status after it had been deployed, subsequently issuing the flight restriction.
The incident highlighted ongoing coordination challenges between the FAA and the Pentagon. Discussions between the FAA, Pentagon, National Security Council (NSC), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding the safe use of new counter-drone technology had previously occurred.
A source indicated that the FAA had informed these agencies that if the technology were used without prior FAA testing in commercial airspace, the FAA would impose restrictions; the Pentagon reportedly refused these conditions.
Transportation Secretary Duffy's explanation of a cartel drone incursion was disputed by several sources. A Capitol Hill source suggested that the Defense Department deployed counter-drone technology before the FAA completed its safety assessment. An administration official clarified that while cartel drone incursions are common, they typically do not lead to airspace closures and denied that commercial aircraft were ever in danger.
Internal disputes reportedly occurred within the administration regarding the decision-making and notification process. The White House expressed frustration with the FAA for not alerting senior officials about the 10-day shutdown plan, while other officials pointed to the DHS and Pentagon for deploying technology in civilian airspace without FAA clearance. A source countered the claim that the White House was uninformed, stating the FAA had notified NSC and Homeland Security Council staffers the prior evening.
Local Officials and Congress Express Frustration
Local elected officials criticized the lack of advance notice and the resulting disruption.
Calls for Transparency and Coordination
- Representative Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) stated that the administration's explanation about a cartel drone did not align with information provided to Congress and that neither she nor local officials were notified of the FAA's decision. She called for an explanation from the FAA, citing that the information provided "does not add up."
- El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson described the outcome as "chaos and confusion," noting he was not notified until after the alert was issued.
El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson described the outcome as "chaos and confusion," emphasizing that "decisions made without notice and coordination puts lives at risk and creates unnecessary danger and confusion."
- Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a former Army helicopter pilot, described the event as another instance of "the lack of coordination that’s endemic" among agencies.
- Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, announced efforts to gather more information regarding the closure.
- Representative Tony Gonzales (R-TX) noted that cartel drone sightings are common along the border, describing daily drone incursions as "everyday life for us."
- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated her government had no information regarding drone use on the border and indicated an investigation into the exact causes of the closure.
The Department of Homeland Security's counter-drone program deputy director, Steven Willoughby, had previously informed Congress that cartels utilize drones almost daily for drug transport and surveillance, with over 27,000 drones detected near the southern border in the latter half of 2024.
Following urgent communications and meetings, senior White House officials reportedly instructed the FAA to reopen the airspace over El Paso.
Lingering Restriction in New Mexico
A similar 10-day temporary flight restriction for special security reasons reportedly remained in place around Santa Teresa, New Mexico, without immediate explanation from FAA officials.