El Paso Airport Halts Flights for 10 Days

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The Federal Aviation Administration has grounded all flights in and out of El Paso International Airport for 10 days, citing "special security reasons." The airport said all commercial, cargo, and general aviation flights are affected, but did not provide a specific reason for the closure.

Why it matters

The sudden and unexplained closure of a major airport like El Paso's could have significant impacts on travel and commerce in the region, disrupting flights, shipments, and business operations. It also raises concerns about potential security threats or other undisclosed issues that may be prompting the FAA's action.

The details

The FAA advisory covers the airspace over the El Paso airport and the surrounding community, but does not include Mexican airspace. A separate restriction was also issued for part of neighboring Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The airport has encouraged travelers to contact their airlines for updates on the situation.

• The flight restrictions began at 11:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday, February 11, 2026.
• The airport closure is expected to last for 10 days.

What’s next

The FAA has not provided a specific timeline for when the flight restrictions will be lifted or any further details on the reasons behind the closure. Travelers and businesses affected by the airport shutdown will likely be closely monitoring the situation for any updates from the FAA or the airport.