FAA Lifts Temporary Closure of Airspace Over El Paso

The shutdown had been expected to cause significant disruptions to flights and travelers.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Federal Aviation Administration has reopened the airspace around El Paso International Airport in Texas, just hours after announcing a 10-day closure that would have grounded all flights to and from the airport. The FAA cited 'special security reasons' for the initial shutdown, but later said there was no threat to commercial aviation and all flights would resume.

Why it matters

The closure would have had a major impact on the El Paso region, which is a hub of cross-border commerce with the neighboring city of Ciudad Juárez in Mexico. The airport serves as a gateway for west Texas, southern New Mexico, and northern Mexico, with major airlines like Southwest, United, American, and Delta operating flights there.

The details

The FAA announced the temporary closure of the airspace around El Paso International Airport on Tuesday, citing 'special security reasons.' This was expected to create significant disruptions given the duration of the closure and the size of the metropolitan area. However, just hours later, the FAA lifted the restrictions, saying there was no threat to commercial aviation and all flights would resume.

  • The FAA announced the 10-day closure on Tuesday.
  • The airspace was reopened on Wednesday morning.

The players

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

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 a hub for cross-border commerce with neighboring Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.

Rep. Veronica Escobar

A Democratic U.S. Representative whose district includes El Paso, Texas.

Southwest Airlines

A major U.S. airline that operates flights to and from El Paso International Airport.

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What they’re saying

“The highly consequential decision by FAA to shut down the El Paso Airport for 10 days is unprecedented and has resulted in significant concern within the community.”

— Rep. Veronica Escobar, U.S. Representative (Quoted in news reports)

“We have notified affected customers and will share additional information as it becomes available. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of its customers and employees.”

— Southwest Airlines (Southwest Airlines statement)

The takeaway

The FAA's abrupt closure and subsequent reopening of the airspace around El Paso International Airport highlights the need for clear communication and transparency from government agencies when making decisions that can significantly impact travel and commerce in a major metropolitan region.