FAA Closes El Paso Airspace For 10 Days For Unspecified 'Special Security Reasons'

Flights to and from the airport have been halted under temporary flight restrictions imposed by the FAA.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has temporarily closed the airspace around El Paso International Airport and the surrounding area of New Mexico for 10 days, citing unspecified "special security reasons." The FAA has classified the airspace as "NTL defense airspace," warning pilots that they may be intercepted, detained, and interviewed by law enforcement if they do not adhere to the restrictions.

Why it matters

The sudden and unexplained closure of the El Paso airspace raises concerns about potential security threats or other undisclosed issues in the region. The disruption to air travel in and out of the city could have significant economic and logistical impacts on businesses and residents.

The details

The FAA issued two notices on Tuesday announcing the temporary flight restrictions, which will remain in effect until February 21st. The notices provide few details about the reasons behind the airspace closure, simply stating that it is for "special security reasons." Pilots are warned that they may face interception, detention, and questioning by authorities if they do not comply with the restrictions.

  • The FAA issued the notices closing the El Paso airspace on Tuesday, February 11, 2026.
  • The temporary flight restrictions will remain in effect until February 21, 2026.

The players

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. government agency responsible for the regulation and oversight of civil aviation.

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What’s next

The FAA has not provided any indication of when the airspace restrictions may be lifted or what specific security concerns prompted the closure. The agency has not announced any plans for a press conference or public statement to address the situation.

The takeaway

The sudden and unexplained closure of the El Paso airspace by the FAA raises serious questions about potential security threats or other undisclosed issues in the region. The disruption to air travel could have significant economic and logistical impacts on the city, underscoring the need for greater transparency from the agency about the reasons behind this decision.