10-Day FAA Flight Restriction Halts El Paso Airport Operations

The temporary flight restriction cites "special security reasons" and applies to all commercial, cargo, and general aviation flights.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a 10-day Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) over El Paso, Texas, halting all flights heading to and leaving the El Paso International Airport, including commercial, cargo, and general aviation. The NOTAM, which cites "special security reasons," went into effect on February 10 and will last until February 20.

Why it matters

El Paso is home to Fort Bliss, one of the major U.S. Army posts, and the sudden 10-day closure of the city's airport is highly unusual, with officials stating they have not seen anything like this since 9/11 when all flights were grounded. The shutdown is raising questions about the nature of the "special security reasons" behind the FAA's decision.

The details

The FAA issued the NOTAM on short notice, prohibiting all aircraft operations at El Paso International Airport and the neighboring Santa Teresa, New Mexico airport. Airlines have been informed of the restriction and are working to notify affected customers about flight changes and refunds.

  • The NOTAM went into effect on February 10 at 11:30 PM Mountain Time (1:30 AM ET Wednesday).
  • The flight restriction is set to last until February 20 at 11:30 PM Mountain Time.

The players

El Paso International Airport

A major airport serving the El Paso, Texas region, which is now under a 10-day flight restriction imposed by the FAA.

Fort Bliss

One of the major U.S. Army posts, located in El Paso, Texas.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. government agency that issued the 10-day Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) restricting flights to and from El Paso International Airport.

Robert Moore

The founder and CEO of news site El Paso Matters, who stated that this type of airport closure has not been seen in El Paso since 9/11.

Vincent Perez

A Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives who represents El Paso, and who stated he has never heard of American airspace being shut down for 10 days outside of a major emergency.

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What they’re saying

“We've never seen anything like this here at least since 9/11, when everything was grounded.”

— Robert Moore, Founder and CEO, El Paso Matters (CNN)

“I have never heard of an American airspace being shut down for 10 days, absent a major emergency.”

— Vincent Perez, Texas State Representative (The New York Times)

“Unusual airspace closure for El Paso TX goes into effect, for ten days. NOTAM cites 'security reasons'. Applies to all flights below 18,000 feet. Something like this, for a major American airport, has not been seen since 9-11.”

— Peter Vogel, Journalist and X user (X)

What’s next

The FAA has not provided any additional details on the "special security reasons" behind the 10-day flight restriction, leaving travelers and officials in El Paso uncertain about the nature of the threat and when normal airport operations will resume.

The takeaway

The sudden and unprecedented 10-day closure of El Paso's airport has raised concerns about the security situation in the region and the FAA's authority to shut down airspace for an extended period without a clear public emergency. This incident highlights the potential disruption that can occur when federal agencies exercise broad powers in the name of national security.