Texas, February 12 - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed a temporary flight restriction on February 11, 2026, that shut down airspace over El Paso, Texas, for several hours, halting all flights to and from El Paso International Airport. The order, announced late Tuesday night, cited "special security reasons" and initially grounded commercial, cargo, general aviation, and even medical evacuation operations up to 18,000 feet until February 20. This unprecedented action near the U.S.-Mexico border disrupted travel in the region, stranding passengers and diverting services, before the FAA abruptly lifted the restriction early Wednesday morning, allowing normal operations to resume.
The airspace closure stemmed from military activities involving counter-drone technology testing near Fort Bliss, a major Army installation adjacent to El Paso. Sources indicate the Defense Department was conducting evaluations of high-energy systems designed to neutralize unmanned aerial threats, prompting FAA concerns over potential risks to civilian aircraft in the busy airspace corridor. A scheduled interagency meeting later in the month to assess safety protocols and mitigation measures had been planned, but accelerated use of the technology in this populated area led to the immediate precautionary shutdown to prioritize aviation safety.
El Paso International Airport, a key hub for regional connectivity and cross-border operations, experienced significant operational impacts during the brief closure. The FAA's swift reversal ensured minimal long-term disruption, though the event highlighted coordination challenges between civilian aviation regulators and military entities when testing advanced systems in proximity to commercial flight paths. No incidents involving civilian aircraft were reported, and authorities confirmed the area was secure following the resolution.
This incident underscores ongoing efforts to integrate military drone countermeasures into border security protocols while maintaining strict safeguards for public air travel. As drone technology evolves and threats from unmanned systems increase along international boundaries, federal agencies continue refining procedures to balance national defense requirements with the uninterrupted flow of commercial aviation in sensitive regions like El Paso.