In an unprecedented move, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a temporary flight restriction that halts all flights into and out of El Paso International Airport and surrounding airspace through Friday, February 20. The order, effective from 11:30 p.m. MST on Tuesday, February 10, covers commercial, cargo, and general aviation operations and also extends into nearby Santa Teresa, New Mexico.
The FAA’s notice classifies the region as restricted airspace for “special security reasons,” but the agency has provided no detailed public explanation of what those reasons are. Officials have described the restriction as a “temporary flight restriction” and have not disclosed any specific threat or event that prompted the decision.
Airlines including Southwest, American, United, and Delta have canceled or suspended service in compliance with the FAA’s order, and travelers are being urged to contact carriers for the latest flight status information.
The restriction applies within a 10 nautical mile radius around the airport from the surface up to nearly 18,000 feet, and pilots are barred from operating in the area unless specifically authorized. Notices warn that aircraft violating the ban could be intercepted or detained, and in rare circumstances, force could be used if an aircraft is deemed an imminent threat.
El Paso International Airport — a key travel and commerce gateway for the region — serves roughly 3.5–4 million passengers a year and is a vital link for West Texas, southern New Mexico, and cross-border travel to Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.
Local and federal officials have so far not publicly detailed the underlying security concerns that led to this extended airspace closure, leaving significant uncertainty for travelers, airlines, and businesses affected by the disruption.