2026-02-13 12:00
Airspace closures were related to new anti-drone weapon use
Reporting from multiple media outlets suggests that the sudden and total closure of El Paso airspace was related to the use of anti-drone laser weapon by the US government. On this week’s episode of our AvTalk podcast we analyze the response by FAA administrator Bryan Bedford and discuss the incident in light of other civilian-military coordination problems in US airspace.
2026-02-11 15:54
1 in 5 El Paso flights cancelled
With the FAA confirming that the NOTAM was lifted at 13:54 UTC, the restriction was in effect for 7 hours and 24 minutes. During this time, eight inbound and outbound flights were cancelled—accounting for 19% of El Paso (ELP) traffic today. The affected flights are (all times in UTC, El Paso local time currently is UTC -7).
FlightSTD (UTC)STA (UTC)DEPARR
WN17422026-02-11 15:00:002026-02-11 16:50:00DALELP
AA49712026-02-11 16:00:002026-02-11 18:01:00LAXELP
DL10022026-02-11 16:00:002026-02-11 19:29:00ATLELP
WN16922026-02-11 18:50:002026-02-11 20:30:00ELPDAL
WN16882026-02-11 19:50:002026-02-11 21:25:00ELPAUS
AA63572026-02-11 19:35:002026-02-11 21:08:00ELPPHX
AA49712026-02-11 18:31:002026-02-11 20:51:00ELPLAX
WN18652026-02-11 15:15:002026-02-11 17:20:00HOUELP
WN42212026-02-11 16:45:002026-02-11 18:25:00LASELP
WN49332026-02-11 17:20:002026-02-11 19:10:00DALELP
AA63572026-02-11 17:36:002026-02-11 19:05:00PHXELP
WN12212026-02-11 19:05:002026-02-11 21:20:00ELPLAX
WN17092026-02-11 18:00:002026-02-11 19:25:00ELPPHX
WN24382026-02-11 17:25:002026-02-11 19:05:00ELPDAL
DL17412026-02-11 13:00:002026-02-11 15:54:00ELPATL
WN15702026-02-11 16:35:002026-02-11 17:50:00PHXELP
2026-02-11 15:17
The FAA Has Canceled The NOTAM
The FAA has lifted the NOTAM affecting El Paso airspace. In a message on X they stated:
“There is no threat to commercial aviation. All flights will resume as normal.”
No further information explaining the closure was provided.
The temporary closure of airspace over El Paso has been lifted. There is no threat to commercial aviation. All flights will resume as normal.
— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) February 11, 2026
2026-02-11 14:30
Last Minute: The Last Flight To Depart El Paso
The last flight to depart El Paso Airport ahead of the airspace closure was a Learjet 45 registered as XB-RGN. Scheduled to depart five minutes past the curfew at 10:35 PM, the actual departure was recorded as 10:30 PM (local time)—the very minute the NOTAM went into effect. It flew to nearby Las Cruces (LRU).
You can track the flight here: https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/xb-rgn#3e48a8a1
2026-02-11 14:00
The Last Flight To Arrive in El Paso
The NOTAM covering El Paso was published on February 11th at 03:32 UTC. This is equal to February 10th at 8:32 PM local time. It was put into effect roughly three hours later, at February 11, 2026 at 0630 UTC (11:30 PM, February 10th, local time).
The last flight to arrive at El Paso Airport ahead of the airspace closure was American Airlines AA1525. It was scheduled to depart Dallas (DFW) at 9:30 PM (local time), but actually departed Forth Worth at 10:12 PM. It landed in El Paso at 10:30 PM in the evening of February 10th (05:30 UTC, February 11th). You can track the flight here: https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/n940nn#3e48436f
2026-02-11 14:44
No Flights Allowed—Including Medical, Law Enforcement
As the NOTAM is currently worded, no flights can be performed in the affected sectors—up to an altitude of 17,999 feet MSL (Mean Sea Level). This includes medical transports and law enforcement, as reported by local media outlet El Paso Matters.
The NOTAM (FDC 6/2233) also covers the airspace above and surrounding the nearby military airport El Paso Biggs Field Airport (BIF/KBIF).
2026-02-11 12:32
Severe Disruptions Expected For Passengers
The airspace closure will cause severe disruption to flights to and from El Paso—especially if the NOTAM remains in effect for the full ten-day period. According to data available to Flightradar24, more than 400 commercial passenger flights are scheduled to depart and arrive in El Paso (ELP/KELP) in the coming nine days.
Travellers to and from El Paso are therefore effectively left with Ciudad Juárez International Airport (CJS/MMCS)on the Mexican side of the border as the only nearby alternative, unless they are willing to travel to Albuquerque (ABQ/KABQ)—the closest commercial airport frequented by major airlines. Albuquerque International Airport is located more than 250 miles away by road.
2026-02-11 11:19
Flight Operations Prohibited In The Nearby Santa Teresa Area
The FAA has also prohibited all flight operations in the nearby Santa Teresa area, citing special security reasons. The same validity period and altitude parameters apply. Just like El Paso, the area borders Mexico.
2026-02-11 10:09
NOTAM Issued: All Flights To and From El Paso Prohibited
The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) has issued a NOTAM halting all flight operations at and around El Paso International Airport (ELP/KELP) until February 21st, effective immediately. The reason given is “Temporary flight restrictions for special security reasons.”
The NOTAM covers a zone with a ten-nautical-mile radius and prohibits all flight operations from ground level up to 17,999 feet. Overflights seems to be permitted.