In a sudden and highly unusual move, the Federal Aviation Administration has grounded all air traffic in and around El Paso International Airport, effective late Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
The restriction, which classifies the region as “National Defense Airspace,” is scheduled to remain in place for ten days, effectively cutting off one of the busiest travel hubs in West Texas until February 20.
The temporary flight restriction covers a 10-nautical-mile radius centered on the El Paso airport, extending from the ground up to 17,999 feet. This blanket ban applies to all forms of aviation, including commercial airlines, cargo shipments, general aviation, and even medevac or law enforcement flights unless specifically authorized by federal officials. While the restriction heavily impacts southern New Mexico near Santa Teresa, it notably excludes Mexican airspace.
The FAA’s Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) cited “special security reasons” for the closure but provided no further specifics, leaving city officials and airport management in the dark. The language used in the warning is remarkably stern; the FAA cautioned that any unauthorized aircraft entering the zone could be intercepted or detained. The notice added that the U.S. government may use “deadly force” if an aircraft is determined to pose an imminent security threat.
As the 23rd largest city in the U.S., El Paso serves millions of passengers annually. Major carriers including Southwest, American, United, and Delta have been forced to cancel hundreds of flights. Travelers are being urged to contact their airlines immediately for rebooking, as planes currently on the tarmac at ELP remain immobilized.
Local representatives have expressed bewilderment, noting that an airspace closure of this duration and magnitude has not been seen since the immediate aftermath of September 11, 2001.
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