El Paso Airspace Briefly Closed, Then Reopened

Authorities cite drone activity as reason for temporary shutdown

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) abruptly closed the airspace over El Paso, Texas for about 10 hours on February 12, 2026, citing concerns over drone activity. However, the closure was later reversed after officials determined the drones were part of a Pentagon operation, not Mexican drug cartel activity as initially suggested.

Why it matters

The sudden and unexplained airspace closure caused major disruptions to flights in and out of El Paso, with airlines forced to cancel or divert numerous flights. It highlighted the challenges authorities face in monitoring and responding to potential airspace threats, especially near the US-Mexico border.

The details

According to reports, the Trump administration initially attributed the airspace shutdown to drones operated by Mexican drug cartels that had breached US airspace. However, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum said she had no similar information. Sources later told reporters that the drones were actually part of a Pentagon operation, not cartel activity.

  • The airspace over El Paso was closed on February 12, 2026.
  • The closure lasted for approximately 10 hours before being reversed.

The players

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

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

Claudia Sheinbaum

The President of Mexico.

Pentagon

The headquarters of the United States Department of Defense.

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What they’re saying

“We must remain vigilant in monitoring our airspace for any potential threats, while also ensuring minimal disruption to air travel.”

— Allyson Versprille, Reporter (Bloomberg Law)

What’s next

Authorities are expected to review the incident and procedures for responding to potential airspace threats in the future.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for better coordination and communication between US and Mexican authorities when it comes to monitoring cross-border airspace activity, in order to avoid unnecessary disruptions to commercial air travel.