El Paso Airport Closed Briefly Due to Mysterious Incident

Mayor says cause of shutdown remains unclear as investigation continues

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

El Paso International Airport was abruptly closed on Wednesday for several hours due to an unspecified incident, causing significant disruption to flights and travelers. El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson spoke with CNN about the lingering confusion surrounding the closure and subsequent reopening of the airport.

Why it matters

The sudden and unexplained closure of a major airport like El Paso International raises concerns about potential security threats or operational issues that could impact public safety and commerce. Determining the root cause is crucial to preventing similar incidents in the future and maintaining confidence in the airport's operations.

The details

According to Mayor Johnson, the airport was shut down around midday on Wednesday due to an unspecified incident, though the exact nature of the problem remains unclear. The facility was closed for several hours before being allowed to reopen, but Johnson said the investigation into what prompted the shutdown is still ongoing.

  • The airport was abruptly closed around midday on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.
  • The airport was allowed to reopen several hours after the initial closure.

The players

Renard Johnson

The Mayor of El Paso, Texas.

El Paso International Airport

A major airport serving the El Paso, Texas metropolitan area.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We're still trying to determine exactly what happened that led to the closure of the airport. The investigation is ongoing, and we're working closely with federal authorities to get to the bottom of this.”

— Renard Johnson, Mayor of El Paso (CNN)

What’s next

Mayor Johnson stated that the investigation into the cause of the airport closure is still ongoing, and officials are working with federal authorities to determine what led to the incident.

The takeaway

The sudden and unexplained closure of a major airport like El Paso International raises concerns about potential security threats or operational issues that could impact public safety and commerce. Determining the root cause is crucial to preventing similar incidents in the future and maintaining confidence in the airport's operations.