El Paso Airspace Closed for 10 Days Over Security Concerns

Thu Feb 12 2026 00:34:47 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The FAA has closed the airspace above El Paso, Texas, for 10 days amidst undisclosed security concerns, causing disruptions for flights in the area.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a closure of the airspace around El Paso, Texas, for 10 days, citing 'special security reasons.' Local officials were not notified prior to the announcement, raising concerns among residents and travelers. Flights to and from El Paso International Airport will be suspended during this period, affecting all types of aviation, including commercial and cargo.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has closed the airspace surrounding the Texas border town of El Paso for 10 days. Local authorities, including the El Paso International Airport and City of El Paso government, confirmed that flights will not take off or land from Tuesday at 11:30pm (Wednesday 0630GMT) to February 20 at 11:30pm (February 21 at 0630GMT). City Council member Chris Canales, who represents an area on the southwestern side of El Paso, stated that local authorities did not receive any advance notice or reason for the closure. The FAA noted the airspace restrictions were for special security reasons. Long-term airspace closures are uncommon, but this restriction encompasses a 10-mile radius around El Paso, affecting parts of southern New Mexico as well. Canales expressed concerns about the lack of notice and the unusual nature of this closure, as the geographical position of El Paso is particularly significant near the US-Mexico border.

In a post shared by the City of El Paso on Facebook, it was confirmed that all flights were grounded and travelers were advised to contact their airlines for the latest flight information. The FAA has not provided further comment on the matter.