El Paso Airspace Closure Sparks Confusion

Conflicting reports on the cause of the sudden shutdown of airspace over the Texas city

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The airspace over El Paso, Texas was temporarily shut down on Wednesday, with the Trump administration blaming the issue on drug cartels flying drones. However, multiple reports indicate the closure was actually triggered by the Pentagon testing a new anti-drone defense system without providing the FAA enough time to assess its potential danger to commercial flights.

Why it matters

The sudden and unexplained closure of the El Paso airspace caused significant disruption to air travel in the region, raising concerns about transparency and communication between government agencies responsible for aviation safety and security.

The details

According to reports, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered the airspace closure without providing a clear explanation to airlines and passengers. The Trump administration initially claimed the shutdown was due to drug cartel drone activity, but other sources suggest it was actually caused by the Pentagon testing a new anti-drone system without properly coordinating with the FAA.

  • The airspace over El Paso was temporarily shut down on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

The players

Trump administration

The presidential administration of former President Donald Trump, which initially blamed the airspace closure on drug cartel drone activity.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. government agency responsible for the regulation and oversight of civil aviation, which ordered the temporary closure of the El Paso airspace.

Pentagon

The headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, which reportedly conducted testing of a new anti-drone defense system without properly coordinating with the FAA.

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What they’re saying

“We must ensure that our airspace is secure and that all necessary precautions are taken to protect the safety of commercial flights.”

— Juliette Kayyem, National security analyst (PBS NewsHour)

What’s next

The FAA and Pentagon are expected to conduct a full investigation into the incident to determine the exact cause of the airspace closure and improve coordination procedures for future testing of new defense systems.

The takeaway

The sudden and unexplained closure of the El Paso airspace highlights the need for greater transparency and communication between government agencies responsible for aviation safety and security, in order to avoid disruptions and maintain public trust.