The FAA has suspended flights from El Paso for 10 days for safety reasons
11 february 2026 в 18:13
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has suspended all incoming and outgoing flights from El Paso International Airport in Texas for approximately 10 days. The sudden closure of airspace has raised concerns among travelers in the U.S., many of whom have demanded explanations for the closure. A few hours after the announcement of the suspension, the FAA reversed its decision and announced that flights could resume.
In a statement on behalf of El Paso Airport, received by KFox14, it was stated: «The FAA issued a temporary flight restriction in a short timeframe, suspending all flights to and from El Paso and our neighboring city of Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The restriction prohibits all aircraft operations (including commercial, cargo, and general flights) and will be in effect from February 10 at 11:30 PM (local time) to February 20 at 11:30 PM (local time). Airport staff have contacted the FAA and are awaiting further instructions. At the same time, commercial airlines operating from El Paso are being informed of this restriction, which appears to be related to safety concerns. Travelers are advised to contact their airlines for the latest information on flight status».
Below you can find out why the airport was closed.
The FAA initially closed El Paso International Airport for 10 days, from February 10 to February 20. This closure would affect all commercial, cargo, and general flights departing to and arriving at the airport, the FAA reported.
The FAA cited «specific safety reasons» as the basis for the 10-day closure of El Paso Airport.
«No pilots are allowed to operate aircraft in the areas covered by this NOTAM (Notice to Airmen)», - the FAA stated, according to NBC News, citing the reason as «temporary flight restrictions for special safety reasons».
Congresswoman Veronica Escobar commented on the closure in her statement, calling the FAA’s actions «unprecedented». She added that this decision «has caused significant concern in the community».
«According to the information that my team and I were able to gather overnight and early this morning, there is no immediate threat to the community or surrounding areas», - Escobar noted. «No prior notifications were provided to either my office, the city of El Paso, or anyone associated with the airport’s operations. We urged the FAA to immediately lift the temporary flight restrictions in the El Paso area. I will continue to provide information as it becomes available».
Later, the FAA reported that the reason for the temporary closure was the use of drones at a nearby military base.
Yes, just a few hours after the closure began, the FAA announced that flights could resume
In a statement on behalf of El Paso Airport, received by KFox14, it was stated: «The FAA issued a temporary flight restriction in a short timeframe, suspending all flights to and from El Paso and our neighboring city of Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The restriction prohibits all aircraft operations (including commercial, cargo, and general flights) and will be in effect from February 10 at 11:30 PM (local time) to February 20 at 11:30 PM (local time). Airport staff have contacted the FAA and are awaiting further instructions. At the same time, commercial airlines operating from El Paso are being informed of this restriction, which appears to be related to safety concerns. Travelers are advised to contact their airlines for the latest information on flight status».
Below you can find out why the airport was closed.
The FAA initially closed El Paso International Airport for 10 days, from February 10 to February 20. This closure would affect all commercial, cargo, and general flights departing to and arriving at the airport, the FAA reported.
The FAA cited «specific safety reasons» as the basis for the 10-day closure of El Paso Airport.
«No pilots are allowed to operate aircraft in the areas covered by this NOTAM (Notice to Airmen)», - the FAA stated, according to NBC News, citing the reason as «temporary flight restrictions for special safety reasons».
Congresswoman Veronica Escobar commented on the closure in her statement, calling the FAA’s actions «unprecedented». She added that this decision «has caused significant concern in the community».
«According to the information that my team and I were able to gather overnight and early this morning, there is no immediate threat to the community or surrounding areas», - Escobar noted. «No prior notifications were provided to either my office, the city of El Paso, or anyone associated with the airport’s operations. We urged the FAA to immediately lift the temporary flight restrictions in the El Paso area. I will continue to provide information as it becomes available».
Later, the FAA reported that the reason for the temporary closure was the use of drones at a nearby military base.
Yes, just a few hours after the closure began, the FAA announced that flights could resume
© Smirnova Olga
