FAA Reopens El Paso Airspace After Temporary Closure

No threat to commercial aviation, authorities say

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has lifted its temporary closure of airspace over El Paso, Texas, stating that all flights will resume as normal and that there was no threat to commercial aviation.

Why it matters

The temporary closure of airspace over a major metropolitan area like El Paso can have significant impacts on commercial and private air travel, causing delays and disruptions. The FAA's swift action to reopen the airspace indicates there was no serious threat to public safety or aviation operations.

The details

The FAA imposed the temporary airspace closure over El Paso on Wednesday, but has now lifted the restriction, allowing flights to resume as normal. Authorities have confirmed there was no threat to commercial aviation during the closure period.

  • The FAA temporarily closed the airspace over El Paso on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
  • The FAA lifted the airspace closure later that same day, allowing flights to resume.

The players

U.S. Federal Aviation Administration

The federal agency responsible for regulating and overseeing civil aviation in the United States.

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The takeaway

The swift reopening of the El Paso airspace demonstrates the FAA's ability to quickly respond to potential aviation threats and ensure the continued safe operation of commercial flights.