Heightened Security Imposes 10-Day Airspace Closure Over El Paso, Texas

Thu Feb 12 2026 00:50:51 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Federal Aviation Administration has announced a rare 10-day closure of airspace around El Paso, citing special security reasons. Flights are grounded without prior notice to local authorities.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered a 10-day airspace closure over El Paso, Texas, starting on February 11, affecting all flights including commercial and cargo. Local officials were not notified in advance, raising concerns among residents due to the unusual nature of such an extensive airspace restriction, which includes a 10-mile radius around the city.

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 flights would 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, told the BBC local authorities did not receive any advance notice or reason for the closure. The FAA stated that the restrictions were for special security reasons.

Long-term airspace closures are rare, as the FAA's records show a significant reduction in airspace closures. The closure will impact a 10-mile radius around El Paso, including parts of southern New Mexico, west of the town of San Teresa. Council member Canales noted that the abrupt decision has caused unease among residents, given El Paso's unique geographical position next to Mexico's Ciudad Juarez and major military installations nearby.

In a post shared by the City of El Paso on Facebook, El Paso International Airport confirmed all flights were grounded, including commercial, cargo, and general aviation. Travelers are advised to contact their airlines for the most up-to-date flight status information. The FAA and city authorities have been contacted for further comments on this issue.