El Paso Airport Closed After Anti-Drone Laser Deployment

Concerns over potential threats to commercial airliners led to a temporary airspace shutdown.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The U.S. military deployed an anti-drone laser weapon near El Paso airport in Texas earlier this week, sparking an unexpected airspace closure that lasted over seven hours. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) raised concerns that the laser system could threaten commercial airliners, leading to the shutdown. The incident caused widespread confusion, with local officials and lawmakers criticizing the lack of advance warning and coordination.

Why it matters

The use of directed-energy weapons like lasers to counter drone threats near civilian areas and infrastructure raises significant safety concerns. This incident highlights the challenges militaries face in safely deploying such technologies without disrupting commercial aviation and local communities.

The details

The anti-drone laser system, developed by defense company AeroVironment, was deployed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection with permission from the Pentagon. The FAA stopped air traffic around El Paso for over seven hours due to concerns about the laser's potential impact on commercial airliners. Local officials and lawmakers were not warned about the airspace closure in advance, leading to chaos and calls for more transparency.

  • On February 12, 2026, the FAA issued a Notice to Airmen restricting flights over El Paso for the following 10 days.
  • A few hours later, the FAA announced the airspace limitations had been lifted around the border city.

The players

AeroVironment

An American defense company that developed the anti-drone laser weapon system used in El Paso.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

The agency that deployed the anti-drone laser system near El Paso airport with permission from the Pentagon.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. agency responsible for civil aviation and regulation, which raised concerns about the laser system and temporarily closed the airspace around El Paso.

Renard Johnson

The mayor of El Paso, who said local officials were not warned in advance of the airspace closure and experienced "complete chaos."

Veronica Escobar

The Democratic Representative whose district covers El Paso, who said neither her office, El Paso officials, nor airport personnel were told about the FAA closure in advance.

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What they’re saying

“To be clear: this was the result of incompetence at the highest levels of the administration.”

— Veronica Escobar, Democratic Representative (BBC)

“For us in the El Paso area, it literally happens every day. For the first time, the U.S. government is now starting to counter some of these things.”

— Tony Gonzales, Republican Representative (BBC)

What’s next

The FAA and the Pentagon will likely face continued scrutiny and calls for more transparency regarding the use of directed-energy weapons near civilian areas.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the delicate balance militaries must strike between deploying effective counter-drone technologies and ensuring the safety of commercial aviation and local communities. Improved coordination and communication will be crucial as these advanced weapons systems become more prevalent.