FAA Grounds All Flights to and from El Paso Airport for 10 Days

Restrictions also impact Santa Teresa, New Mexico, but not Mexican airspace

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a 10-day flight restriction for El Paso International Airport and the nearby Santa Teresa, New Mexico airport, effective from February 10 to February 20. The FAA cited "special security reasons" for the grounding of all commercial, cargo, and general aviation flights, creating significant disruptions for the border region.

Why it matters

El Paso is a major hub for cross-border commerce and travel between the U.S. and Mexico, so the 10-day shutdown of the airport will likely have significant economic and logistical impacts on businesses and residents in the area. The reasons behind the FAA's decision are currently unclear.

The details

The flight restrictions apply to all commercial, cargo, and general aviation flights in and out of El Paso International Airport and the nearby Santa Teresa, New Mexico airport. However, the closure does not include Mexican airspace. Travelers are advised to contact their airlines for up-to-date flight status information.

  • The flight restrictions are effective from February 10 at 11:30 p.m. (MST) to February 20 at 11:30 p.m. (MST).

The players

Federal Aviation Administration

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

El Paso International Airport

A major airport serving the El Paso, Texas metropolitan area and the surrounding region, including southern New Mexico and northern Mexico.

Santa Teresa, New Mexico

A small town in southern New Mexico near the U.S.-Mexico border, whose airport is also impacted by the FAA flight restrictions.

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What’s next

The FAA has not provided additional details on the reasons for the flight restrictions, so it remains unclear how long the shutdown may last beyond the initial 10-day period.

The takeaway

The 10-day shutdown of El Paso International Airport and the Santa Teresa, New Mexico airport will have significant economic and logistical impacts on the border region, underscoring the importance of this transportation hub for cross-border commerce and travel.