FAA Reopens El Paso Airspace After Cartel Drone Breach

Temporary closure lifted as Defense Department disables Mexican cartel drones

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

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. A Trump administration official stated the airspace was closed after Mexican cartel drones breached the airspace, but the Defense Department took action to disable the drones.

Why it matters

The temporary closure of the El Paso airspace raised concerns about potential disruptions to commercial air travel in the region. The revelation that the closure was due to a breach by Mexican cartel drones highlights the ongoing security challenges along the U.S.-Mexico border and the need for coordination between federal agencies to address threats to aviation safety.

The details

According to the Trump administration official, the Federal Aviation Administration closed the airspace over El Paso International Airport after Mexican cartel drones breached the airspace. The Defense Department then took action to disable the drones, and both the FAA and the Defense Department determined there was no longer a threat to commercial aviation. The official did not provide specifics on the number of drones involved or the exact actions taken to disable them.

  • On Wednesday morning, the FAA announced a temporary 10-day closure of the airspace around El Paso International Airport.
  • Just hours later, the FAA lifted the temporary closure, stating there was no threat to commercial aviation and that all flights would resume.

The players

Federal Aviation Administration

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

U.S. Department of Defense

The executive department of the U.S. federal government responsible for national security and the U.S. armed forces.

Mexican Cartels

Powerful criminal organizations based in Mexico that engage in drug trafficking, human smuggling, and other illicit activities along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing security challenges along the U.S.-Mexico border, including the threat posed by Mexican cartel drones. It underscores the need for close coordination between federal agencies like the FAA and the Department of Defense to quickly address potential threats to aviation safety and commercial air travel.