El Paso Lawmakers Criticize FAA's 'Unacceptable' Closure of Airport

Democratic officials demand answers over temporary flight restrictions, citing lack of communication and conflicting statements from officials.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Democratic lawmakers in El Paso, Texas criticized the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) temporary closure of the El Paso International Airport early Wednesday morning, citing a lack of communication and conflicting statements from officials. The airport was shut down for nearly 8 hours, prompting confusion and concern among local residents and elected officials.

Why it matters

The sudden and unexplained closure of the El Paso airport disrupted medical evacuation flights, grounded all aviation operations, and caused significant confusion in the community. Democratic lawmakers are demanding transparency from federal agencies over the incident, which they say has not occurred since 9/11.

The details

The FAA announced the airport would shut down for 10 days, citing unspecified 'special security reasons.' Officials later lifted the restrictions around 7 a.m. Wednesday, just under eight hours after they took effect. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffey initially said the FAA and Department of Defense had acted to address a 'cartel drone incursion,' but this statement was later contradicted by multiple sources, including Rep. Veronica Escobar, whose district includes El Paso.

  • The temporary closure began at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.
  • The restrictions were lifted around 7 a.m. Wednesday, just under eight hours after they took effect.

The players

Renard Johnson

The Democratic mayor of El Paso, who said the FAA did not attempt to coordinate or communicate with the city during the temporary closure.

Veronica Escobar

A Democratic U.S. Representative whose district includes El Paso and who serves on the House Armed Services Committee. She said the FAA owes the community an explanation for the sudden and abrupt closure and lift of the restrictions.

Vincent Perez

A Democratic state representative from El Paso who said claims of cartel drone activity being the reason for the closure are concerning, as such incidents are a near-daily occurrence along the southern border.

Mary González

A Democratic state representative from El Paso who said the 10-day closure caused panic among her constituents.

Tony Gonzales

A Republican U.S. Congressman who represents a large portion of Texas's southern border and who said he was glad the FAA acted out of an abundance of caution, but supported the move to reopen the airspace swiftly.

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What they’re saying

“That failure to communicate is unacceptable, these types of decisions have consequences. Medical evacuation flights were forced to divert to Las Cruces. All aviation operations were grounded—including emergency flights. This was a major and unnecessary disruption, one that has not occurred since 9/11.”

— Renard Johnson, Mayor of El Paso (kxan.com)

“I believe the FAA owes the community and the country an explanation as to why this happened so suddenly and abruptly and was lifted so suddenly and abruptly.”

— Veronica Escobar, U.S. Representative (kxan.com)

“I remember in Washington [during and after the attacks], there was just a lot of confusion and concern that there was a serious strike or something that was imminent. I thought [this morning that] there was something of that magnitude that was going to happen, or that the federal government knew something of that magnitude and scale that needed such an urgent action like that.”

— Vincent Perez, State Representative (kxan.com)

“I literally got messages from some of my constituents asking if we got bombed by China.”

— Mary González, State Representative (kxan.com)

“I'm grateful that they took our recommendations on lifting the ban as long as there was no immediate threat to the community, which there wasn't. That's helpful because the closure on the (airspace) really impacts our local community there in El Paso and the region.”

— Tony Gonzales, U.S. Congressman (kxan.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.