FAA Reopens El Paso Airspace After Brief Closure

Airspace closure initially blamed on Mexican cartel drone activity

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 it announced a 10-day closure that would have grounded all flights to and from the airport. The initial closure was attributed to concerns over Mexican cartel drone activity in the area.

Why it matters

The abrupt closure and reopening of the El Paso airspace highlights the ongoing security challenges along the U.S.-Mexico border, where drug cartels have increasingly turned to drones to monitor law enforcement and potentially transport illicit goods. The incident also raises questions about the FAA's decision-making process and communication around airspace restrictions.

The details

The FAA initially announced the 10-day closure of the El Paso airspace, citing unspecified "safety reasons." However, the Trump administration later tied the closure to concerns over Mexican cartel drone activity in the area. The airspace was reopened just hours after the initial closure announcement, with officials providing few details on the nature of the threat or why it was deemed safe to resume normal operations.

  • On February 11, 2026, the FAA announced a 10-day closure of the airspace around El Paso International Airport.
  • Later that same day, the FAA reopened the El Paso airspace, just hours after the initial closure announcement.

The players

Federal Aviation Administration

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

Trump administration

The presidential administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

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What they’re saying

“We must remain vigilant against any potential threats to aviation safety, which is our top priority.”

— FAA spokesperson (militarynews.com)

What’s next

The FAA and other government agencies are expected to provide more details on the nature of the drone-related threat and the decision-making process behind the airspace closure and reopening.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing security challenges along the U.S.-Mexico border and the need for robust communication and coordination between federal agencies when it comes to managing airspace and addressing potential threats to aviation safety.