El Paso Mayor Slams FAA for 'Chaos and Confusion' Over Airspace Closure

The 8-hour closure disrupted flights, medical evacuations, and local businesses, according to the mayor.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Federal Aviation Administration's sudden closure of the airspace over El Paso International Airport and its later decision to lift the restrictions caused major disruptions in the city, according to El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson. The mayor criticized the lack of communication from the federal government, saying the closure impacted flights, medical evacuations, and local businesses without any prior coordination with city officials.

Why it matters

The airspace closure highlights the need for better coordination between federal agencies and local authorities when implementing security measures that can significantly impact a community. The mayor's criticism raises questions about transparency and the decision-making process behind such actions.

The details

The FAA closed the airspace over El Paso International Airport around 1:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday, citing 'special security reasons.' All flights, including emergency flights, were grounded, and medical evacuation flights were forced to divert to a nearby city. The closure disrupted the delivery of surgical equipment and created a ripple effect for passengers, rental car companies, and local businesses. The FAA lifted the restrictions roughly eight hours later, stating there was 'no threat to commercial aviation.'

  • The FAA closed the airspace over El Paso International Airport around 1:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday.
  • The FAA lifted the airspace restrictions shortly before 9 a.m. ET on Wednesday.

The players

Renard Johnson

The mayor of El Paso, Texas, who criticized the FAA's actions and called for better communication and coordination between federal agencies and local authorities.

Sean Duffy

The U.S. Transportation Secretary, who confirmed the airspace closure was in response to a 'cartel drone incursion' and that the threat had been 'neutralized.'

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The federal agency that implemented the sudden airspace closure over El Paso International Airport, citing 'special security reasons.'

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What they’re saying

“You cannot restrict airspace over a major city without coordinating with the city, the airport, the hospitals, the community leadership. That failure to communicate is unacceptable.”

— Renard Johnson, Mayor of El Paso (The Hill)

“This was a major and unnecessary disruption. One that has not occurred since 9/11.”

— Renard Johnson, Mayor of El Paso (The Hill)

“The threat has been neutralized, and there is no danger to the commercial travel in the region.”

— Sean Duffy, U.S. Transportation Secretary (The Hill)

What’s next

The El Paso mayor said the city will be following up with the FAA to ensure better communication and coordination in the future to prevent such disruptions.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for federal agencies to work closely with local authorities when implementing security measures that can significantly impact a community, in order to avoid 'chaos and confusion' and minimize unintended consequences.