In Brief
The FAA sent out an alert late Tuesday night it was closing the airspace around El Paso for 10 days, and rescinded the grounding Wednesday morningThe White House claims a cartel drone breached American airspaceOther sources tell NBC news the incident was caused by an anti-drone laser test from the military that was not coordinated with the FAAA bill to address criminal drones was recently tabled during the legislative session in Santa Fe
EL PASO, Texas – The Federal Aviation Administration closed the airspace around El Paso International Airport for 10 days on Tuesday night, then lifted the restrictions on Wednesday morning.
A notice posted on the FAA’s website on Tuesday said the temporary flight restrictions were for “special security reasons,” but did not provide additional details. The closure did not include Mexican airspace, but did include Santa Teresa in southern New Mexico.
Sources familiar with the matter told NBC News the grounding was due to the U.S. military testing technology that can be used to take down drones. Two sources also said the FAA and the Defense Department had a miscommunication or a possible dispute over whether the testing could impact commercial flights, prompting the restriction to get more information about the testing.
Three sources told NBC News the military tested high-energy lasers designed to protect against drug cartel drones that could cross over the border.
Information for travelers
In a statement posted on social media, El Paso airport officials say “All flights to and from El Paso are grounded, including commercial, cargo and general aviation. The FAA has issued a flight restriction halting all flights to and from El Paso effective from February 10 at 11:30 PM (MST) to February 20 at 11:30PM (MST). Travelers should contact their airlines to get most up-to-date flight status information.”
The airport says travelers are urged to contact their airlines to get up-to-date flight information.
Impact on New Mexico
As of Wednesday evening, a portion of airspace around Santa Teresa, New Mexico remained closed.
El Paso’s airport describes itself as the gateway to southern New Mexico, and is the closest major airport to several New Mexican cities.
The greater El Paso metro area, when including Doña Ana County which also had flight restrictions, has a population of over 1 million people according to census data.
Southwest, United, American and Delta all operate flights in and out of El Paso.
For travelers who were desperate to catch a flight Wednesday morning, the closest American airport for El Paso area travelers is Albuquerque’s Sunport, which is a four hour drive away.
Cartel drones and security concerns
A White House official told NBC News that Mexican cartel drones had breached American airspace, and the Department of Defense had disabled them.
Other sources tell NBC news the grounding was in response to the U.S. military testing technology that can be used to take down drones near the airport, raising concerns within the Federal Aviation Administration, which responded by issuing a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) Notice, the sources said.
Three of the sources said the military testing, which was taking place near Fort Bliss, was of high-energy lasers that are designed to protect against drones from drug cartels that could cross over the U.S. border.
Congressman Gabe Vasquez, a Democrat who represents Doña Ana County, questioned the move to close the airspace over El Paso when New Mexico already provides vast amounts restricted airspace for military testing.
“We have protected airspace in the region that is used to carry out these activities,” said Vasquez. “These activities had been ongoing for several days before this closure was ordered, and my understanding is that the FAA arbitrarily closed the airport for 10 days because it did not properly communicate with the Department of Defense as to those testing activities.”
A bill in Santa Fe to address cartel drones was tabled
Last week, District Attorney Sam Bregman advocated for Senate Bill 136, aiming to criminalize certain drone uses in New Mexico. However, the Senate Judiciary Committee tabled the bill on Tuesday, effectively ending its progress.
“It’s not acceptable because that’s not how we address this problem,” said Bregman. “We address this problem by passing a law, putting it on the books so that law enforcement and prosecutors can go after people who are using drones criminally.”
Bregman claims drones operated by Mexican cartels cross into New Mexico daily. Lawmakers cited technical issues with the bill during debates.
Bregman believes lawmakers should amend the bill to address their concerns instead of tabling it.
Lawmakers respond to the El Paso situation
Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, a Democrat representing El Paso, urged the FAA to lift the restrictions in a statement Wednesday morning.
“The highly consequential decision by FAA to shut down the El Paso Airport for 10 days is unprecedented and has resulted in significant concern within the community. From what my office and I have been able to gather overnight and early this morning there is no immediate threat to the community or surrounding areas. There was no advance notice provided to my office, the City of El Paso, or anyone involved in airport operations. We have urged the FAA to immediately lift the Temporary Flight Restrictions placed on the El Paso area. I will continue to make information public as I learn it.”
At around 7 a.m. on Wednesday morning, Escobar reported the FAA would be lifting the restrictions saying there is no threat to El Paso or the surrounding area.
Statement from Senator Ben Ray Luján
New Mexico lawmakers also weighed in on the closure and reopening. U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján, a Democrat representing New Mexico, issued the following statement regarding the closure and partial reopening of the airspace in the region:
“I just spoke with the Administrator of the FAA regarding the closure and partial reopening of airspace over El Paso, Texas, and Santa Teresa, New Mexico.“
“While I am still seeking full details, one thing is clear: travelers should not have had to endure the chaos they experienced. This morning, the FAA abruptly announced a 10-day closure of the airspace, only to reverse course within hours.“
“At this time, airspace over El Paso has reopened, but airspace over Santa Teresa and parts of southern New Mexico remains closed. I’ll continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.“
“This incident raises serious concerns. New Mexicans deserve transparency, communication, and accountability from the federal government.“
“As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over the FAA, I’ll continue pressing for clear and accurate information. I hope to receive a full classified briefing as soon as possible.”
Statement from US Rep. Gabe Vasquez
“I have been tracking this situation since very early this morning, and I want to assure southern New Mexicans and those who rely on the El Paso Airport that there is no national security threat and operations are expected to resume as normal at the El Paso Airport.”
“There are standard rules and procedures for how our airspace is controlled, including when the Department of Defense (DOD) is conducting any testing in our region. These procedures keep Americans safe and prevent disruption to civil airspace. This morning, the Administration decided to steamroll those policies and close a major city’s airspace without notifying state and local officials. That is unacceptable.”
“Medical evacuation flights had to be diverted, commercial air carriers were forced to cancel as many as half their flights for the day, and people were left stranded. The American people deserve better than the chaos and lack of transparency we keep seeing from this Administration.”
“Through my conversations with federal and local officials, it has become abundantly clear the FAA was tracking the DOD’s counter drone tests for multiple days, and the FAA responded — in error — with the disproportionate response of abruptly closing our airspace for 10 days. The statements this Administration has put out about the situation are misleading at best and a coverup for their incompetence at worst.”
“Let’s be clear — the Administration has provided no proof of a drone incursion that would warrant this large scale, 10-day response. Our nation can prepare for these threats without causing chaos and inducing unwarranted fear.”
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