El Paso’s skies just went quiet, and no one seems to have gotten a clear explanation why.
Late Tuesday night, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a sudden Temporary Flight Restriction that effectively shuts down federal airspace over El Paso for the next 10 days. That means no commercial flights, no cargo flights, and no private aircraft operating in U.S. airspace in or out of El Paso International Airport through February 20 at 11:30 PM MST.
FAA Shuts Down El Paso Airspace for 10 Days
According to the FAA notice, the restriction began February 10 at 11:30 PM for what are described only as “special security reasons.” The airspace is now classified as INTL Defense Airspace.
The restriction prohibits all aircraft operations including commercial, cargo, and general aviation flights. Mexican airspace is not included in the restriction.
FAA Notice Warns of Interception and Use of Force
The language in the official Notice to Air Missions is serious.
Pilots who do not follow the restriction may be intercepted, detained, and interviewed by law enforcement or security personnel. The notice also states that the United States government may use deadly force if an aircraft is determined to pose an imminent security threat.
El Paso Officials and Airport Staff Await Answers
Here is what makes this situation even more concerning. Local officials are still scrambling for answers.
The City of El Paso confirmed the FAA issued the restriction on short notice. Airport staff have reportedly reached out to the FAA and are waiting on additional guidance.
As of now, neither the White House nor the U.S. Department of Defense has publicly released a statement explaining the reason behind the shutdown. Airport employees themselves appear to be searching for information in real time.
What Travelers Need to Know About Cancelled El Paso Flights
If you have travel plans in the next 10 days, contact your airline immediately. All commercial airlines operating out of El Paso are being informed, and flights are being canceled.
Right now, we know the restriction is labeled as security related. We do not know what triggered it, how it specifically impacts border coordination, or whether it could be lifted early.
For a city that depends heavily on regional and national air travel, this is a major disruption, and El Paso is still waiting for answers.
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