The sudden closure of airspace over El Paso, Texas, was forced due to a dispute between the Pentagon and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) over plans for a laser test to shoot down drones used by Mexican drug cartels, according to a report. This comes after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) halted flight operations at El Paso airport for 10 days, citing security-related concerns, which were later lifted. The Trump administration said that the airspace was closed after Mexican drug cartel drones breached US airspace and were disabled.Associated Press reported, citing people familiar with the situation, Pentagon’s laser test plans resulted in friction with the FAA, which wanted to ensure commercial air safety, as the two agencies sought to coordinate. Despite a scheduled meeting later this month to discuss the issue, the Pentagon was planning to go ahead with the test, prompting the FAA to shut the airspace over El Paso.The news agency reported that the laser was deployed near Fort Bliss without coordinating with the FAA, according to a person familiar with the issue, adding that the technology was used despite the scheduled discussions.While the restrictions were lifted shortly after, it is unusual for an entire airport to shut down for even a short period of time. The incident stranded travellers with luggage lined up at airline counters and car rental desks.The FAA classified the area as “NTL Defense Airspace” and stated that the restriction that covered airspace over El Paso, Texas, and parts of Santa Teresa and New Mexico, was implemented for “special security reasons.”Earlier on Wednesday (Feb 11), a US administration official said that Mexican drug cartel drones breached US airspace and were disabled.United States Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said in a post on X, “The FAA and DOW acted swiftly to address a cartel drone incursion. The threat has been neutralised, and there is no danger to commercial travel in the region. The restrictions have been lifted, and normal flights are resuming.”

The Trump administration said that the airspace was closed after Mexican drug cartel drones breached US airspace and were disabled.

The sudden closure of airspace over El Paso, Texas, was forced due to a dispute between the Pentagon and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) over plans for a laser test to shoot down drones used by Mexican drug cartels, according to a report. This comes after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) halted flight operations at El Paso airport for 10 days, citing security-related concerns, which were later lifted. The Trump administration said that the airspace was closed after Mexican drug cartel drones breached US airspace and were disabled. Associated Press reported, citing people familiar with the situation, Pentagon’s laser test plans resulted in friction with the FAA, which wanted to ensure commercial air safety, as the two agencies sought to coordinate. Despite a scheduled meeting later this month to discuss the issue, the Pentagon was planning to go ahead with the test, prompting the FAA to shut the airspace over El Paso. The news agency reported that the laser was deployed near Fort Bliss without coordinating with the FAA, according to a person familiar with the issue, adding that the technology was used despite the scheduled discussions. While the restrictions were lifted shortly after, it is unusual for an entire airport to shut down for even a short period of time. The incident stranded travellers with luggage lined up at airline counters and car rental desks. The FAA classified the area as “NTL Defense Airspace” and stated that the restriction that covered airspace over El Paso, Texas, and parts of Santa Teresa and New Mexico, was implemented for “special security reasons.” Earlier on Wednesday (Feb 11), a US administration official said that Mexican drug cartel drones breached US airspace and were disabled. United States Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said in a post on X, “The FAA and DOW acted swiftly to address a cartel drone incursion. The threat has been neutralised, and there is no danger to commercial travel in the region. The restrictions have been lifted, and normal flights are resuming.”

The Trump administration said that the airspace was closed after Mexican drug cartel drones breached US airspace and were disabled.

Mexican drug cartel drones or Pentagon-FAA dispute? REAL reason why El Paso airspace was closed

A US administration official on Wednesday (February 11) said that Mexican drug cartel drones breached US airspace and were disabled. This comes after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) halted flight operations at El Paso airport for 10 days, citing security-related concerns, which were later lifted.&nbsp;&nbsp;"There was no immediate threat to the El Paso community after federal aviation authorities suddenly closed airspace over the major US city, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar said. "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," wrote Escobar, who represents the Texas city on the US-Mexico border, on X (formerly known as Twitter).&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-is-national-defense-airspace-as-flights-suspended-at-el-paso-airport-for-10-days-1770813177312">What is National Defense Airspace as flights suspended at El Paso airport for 10 days</a>&nbsp;United States Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, in a post on X, said, “The FAA and DOW acted swiftly to address a cartel drone incursion. The threat has been neutralized, and there is no danger to commercial travel in the region. The restrictions have been lifted, and normal flights are resuming.”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-shoppers-snub-nationalism-for-foreign-brands-1770817851540/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-shoppers-snub-nationalism-for-foreign-brands-1770817851540/embed</a>&nbsp;Earlier, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had mandated a temporary suspension of all arrivals and departures at El Paso International Airport in Texas for 10 days due to security concerns. The shutdown started at 1:30 am ET on February 11 and was scheduled to remain in place until 1:30 am ET on February 21, according to an official Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued. Pilots are barred from flying within the designated airspace under the directive. The FAA labeled the zone as “NTL Defense Airspace,” explaining that the restriction was put in place for “special security reasons.” In a statement posted on Instagram, El Paso International Airport confirmed the temporary shutdown, stressing that the order affects commercial, cargo, and private flights. Passengers were advised to contact their airlines for the most up-to-date information on flight schedules.

US says Mexican drug cartel drones breached airspace, triggered temporary closure at El Paso airport

A US administration official on Wednesday (February 11) said that Mexican drug cartel drones breached US airspace and were disabled. This comes after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) halted flight operations at El Paso airport for 10 days, citing security-related concerns, which were later lifted. "There was no immediate threat to the El Paso community after federal aviation authorities suddenly closed airspace over the major US city, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar said. "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," wrote Escobar, who represents the Texas city on the US-Mexico border, on X (formerly known as Twitter). Also Read: What is National Defense Airspace as flights suspended at El Paso airport for 10 days United States Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, in a post on X, said, “The FAA and DOW acted swiftly to address a cartel drone incursion. The threat has been neutralized, and there is no danger to commercial travel in the region. The restrictions have been lifted, and normal flights are resuming.” https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-shoppers-snub-nationalism-for-foreign-brands-1770817851540/embed Earlier, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had mandated a temporary suspension of all arrivals and departures at El Paso International Airport in Texas for 10 days due to security concerns. The shutdown started at 1:30 am ET on February 11 and was scheduled to remain in place until 1:30 am ET on February 21, according to an official Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued. Pilots are barred from flying within the designated airspace under the directive. The FAA labeled the zone as “NTL Defense Airspace,” explaining that the restriction was put in place for “special security reasons.” In a statement posted on Instagram, El Paso International Airport confirmed the temporary shutdown, stressing that the order affects commercial, cargo, and private flights. Passengers were advised to contact their airlines for the most up-to-date information on flight schedules.

Earlier, the Federal Aviation Administration halted all flights at the El Paso airport for 10 days, citing security-related concerns, which were later lifted by the US aviation regulator&nbsp;

Airspace above El Paso, Texas, has been shut down for 10 days after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed an emergency restriction citing unspecified “special security reasons.” The order has brought all activity at El Paso International Airport to a halt, grounding commercial airlines, cargo carriers, and private aircraft alike. The flight restriction also extends into a broad section of southern New Mexico, including areas west of Santa Teresa. According to the FAA, the temporary flight restriction (TFR) started at 11:30 pm MST on February 10 and will remain in place until 11:30 pm MST on February 20.<h2>What should the passengers do to check their flights at El Paso airport?</h2>In a statement given to KFOX14, El Paso International Airport confirmed that the FAA enacted the TFR with little advance notice, suspending all arriving and departing flights in both El Paso and neighboring Santa Teresa, New Mexico. Airport officials said they have contacted the Federal Aviation Administration for further clarification and are awaiting more details. Meanwhile, airlines serving the airport have been notified, and passengers are advised to check directly with their carriers for updates on flight schedules. Airport representatives suggested the restriction appears to be tied to security concerns.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/faa-suspends-all-flights-at-el-paso-airport-for-10-days-here-s-why-1770809796593">FAA suspends all flights at El Paso airport for 10 days. Here's why</a><h2>What is National Defense Airspace?</h2>The FAA has labeled the affected region as ‘national defense airspace’, a designation reserved for locations considered sensitive to US national security. In such areas, flight activity can be limited, tightly managed, or completely banned to safeguard strategic sites, personnel, or territorial integrity.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/rohini-32-year-old-labourer-dies-in-open-drain-1770807985078/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/rohini-32-year-old-labourer-dies-in-open-drain-1770807985078/embed</a>&nbsp;An FAA notice referenced by El Paso Matters explains that pilots entering this designated airspace must strictly comply with established procedures. Failure to do so could result in interception, detention, and questioning by law enforcement or security authorities. The notice further warns that the US government retains the authority to use lethal force against an aircraft if it is judged to pose an immediate security threat.

What is National Defense Airspace as flights suspended at El Paso airport for 10 days

Airspace above El Paso, Texas, has been shut down for 10 days after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed an emergency restriction citing unspecified “special security reasons.” The order has brought all activity at El Paso International Airport to a halt, grounding commercial airlines, cargo carriers, and private aircraft alike. The flight restriction also extends into a broad section of southern New Mexico, including areas west of Santa Teresa. According to the FAA, the temporary flight restriction (TFR) started at 11:30 pm MST on February 10 and will remain in place until 11:30 pm MST on February 20. What should the passengers do to check their flights at El Paso airport? In a statement given to KFOX14, El Paso International Airport confirmed that the FAA enacted the TFR with little advance notice, suspending all arriving and departing flights in both El Paso and neighboring Santa Teresa, New Mexico. Airport officials said they have contacted the Federal Aviation Administration for further clarification and are awaiting more details. Meanwhile, airlines serving the airport have been notified, and passengers are advised to check directly with their carriers for updates on flight schedules. Airport representatives suggested the restriction appears to be tied to security concerns. Also Read: FAA suspends all flights at El Paso airport for 10 days. Here's why What is National Defense Airspace? The FAA has labeled the affected region as ‘national defense airspace’, a designation reserved for locations considered sensitive to US national security. In such areas, flight activity can be limited, tightly managed, or completely banned to safeguard strategic sites, personnel, or territorial integrity. https://www.wionews.com/videos/rohini-32-year-old-labourer-dies-in-open-drain-1770807985078/embed An FAA notice referenced by El Paso Matters explains that pilots entering this designated airspace must strictly comply with established procedures. Failure to do so could result in interception, detention, and questioning by law enforcement or security authorities. The notice further warns that the US government retains the authority to use lethal force against an aircraft if it is judged to pose an immediate security threat.

The Federal Aviation Administration has grounded all flights in El Paso for the next 10 days, designating the area as national defense airspace over security concerns

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered a temporary shutdown of all incoming and outgoing flights at El Paso International Airport in Texas for a period of 10 days, citing security-related concerns. The flight suspension started at 1:30 am ET on February 11 and will remain in effect until 1:30 am ET on February 21, according to an official Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued early on Wednesday (February 11). The restriction covers airspace over El Paso, Texas, and extends into parts of Santa Teresa, New Mexico.&nbsp;Under the directive, pilots are prohibited from operating aircraft within the designated airspace. The FAA classified the area as “NTL Defense Airspace” and stated that the restriction was implemented for “special security reasons.” El Paso International Airport confirmed the temporary closure in a statement shared on Instagram, noting that the order applies to commercial, cargo, and private aviation operations alike. Travelers have been urged to check directly with their airlines for the latest updates on flight status.<h2>Which airlines are impacted?</h2>Every carrier serving El Paso is affected by the order. Based on FlightConnections data, approximately 1,299 flights were scheduled to arrive at the airport in February, averaging about 46 flights per day.Major airlines operating routes to and from El Paso include:<ul><li>Delta Air Lines</li><li>American Airlines</li><li>Southwest Airlines</li><li>United Airlines</li></ul><h2>Warning of potential use of force</h2>In its NOTAM, the FAA cautioned that aircraft violating the restricted airspace could face interception and possible enforcement actions. The notice further warned that deadly force could be authorized if an aircraft is deemed to pose an immediate security threat. Pilots who fail to comply with the outlined procedures may be intercepted, detained, and questioned by law enforcement or security officials, the agency said.<h2>How did the markets react?</h2>Texas State Representative Vincent Perez expressed surprise at the decision, telling The New York Times he had not previously been informed of the airspace shutdown. He noted that he could not recall a 10-day closure of US airspace outside of a significant emergency. In financial markets, the US Global Jets ETF (JETS) slipped 0.08% in pre-market trading on Wednesday. The broader SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF (SPY) declined 0.02%. Despite the dip, retail investor sentiment surrounding JETS remained in bullish territory on Stocktwits at the time of reporting.

FAA suspends all flights at El Paso airport for 10 days. Here's why

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered a temporary shutdown of all incoming and outgoing flights at El Paso International Airport in Texas for a period of 10 days, citing security-related concerns. The flight suspension started at 1:30 am ET on February 11 and will remain in effect until 1:30 am ET on February 21, according to an official Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued early on Wednesday (February 11). The restriction covers airspace over El Paso, Texas, and extends into parts of Santa Teresa, New Mexico. Under the directive, pilots are prohibited from operating aircraft within the designated airspace. The FAA classified the area as “NTL Defense Airspace” and stated that the restriction was implemented for “special security reasons.” El Paso International Airport confirmed the temporary closure in a statement shared on Instagram, noting that the order applies to commercial, cargo, and private aviation operations alike. Travelers have been urged to check directly with their airlines for the latest updates on flight status. Which airlines are impacted? Every carrier serving El Paso is affected by the order. Based on FlightConnections data, approximately 1,299 flights were scheduled to arrive at the airport in February, averaging about 46 flights per day. Major airlines operating routes to and from El Paso include: Delta Air Lines American Airlines Southwest Airlines United Airlines Warning of potential use of force In its NOTAM, the FAA cautioned that aircraft violating the restricted airspace could face interception and possible enforcement actions. The notice further warned that deadly force could be authorized if an aircraft is deemed to pose an immediate security threat. Pilots who fail to comply with the outlined procedures may be intercepted, detained, and questioned by law enforcement or security officials, the agency said. How did the markets react? Texas State Representative Vincent Perez expressed surprise at the decision, telling The New York Times he had not previously been informed of the airspace shutdown. He noted that he could not recall a 10-day closure of US airspace outside of a significant emergency. In financial markets, the US Global Jets ETF (JETS) slipped 0.08% in pre-market trading on Wednesday. The broader SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) declined 0.02%. Despite the dip, retail investor sentiment surrounding JETS remained in bullish territory on Stocktwits at the time of reporting.

FAA has halted all flights at El Paso International Airport for 10 days, citing security concerns and warning of possible use of force

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Mexican drug cartel drones or Pentagon-FAA dispute? REAL reason why El Paso airspace was closed

US says Mexican drug cartel drones breached airspace

What is National Defense Airspace as flights suspended at El Paso airport

FAA suspends all flights at El Paso airport for 10 days. Here's why