FAA Closes and Reopens El Paso Airspace After Laser Incident

Lawmakers demand answers as Trump administration officials offer conflicting explanations for the surprise move.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) abruptly closed and then quickly reopened the airspace over El Paso, Texas, fueling questions and criticism from lawmakers. Trump administration officials initially claimed the closure was in response to Mexican drug cartel drone incursions, but later acknowledged it followed the use of a Pentagon-provided laser weapon to disable party balloons. The lack of coordination between federal agencies has raised concerns about communication breakdowns.

Why it matters

The surprise airspace closure and the conflicting explanations from officials have undermined public trust and raised questions about the decision-making process and coordination between federal agencies responsible for national security and transportation. The incident highlights ongoing challenges in managing airspace and responding to potential threats, especially along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The details

According to reports, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials in the El Paso area used a laser counter-drone weapon, provided by the Pentagon, to take out objects that were later identified as party balloons. The FAA then abruptly closed the airspace, initially for 10 days, before lifting the restriction after just 8 hours. Administration officials claimed the closure was in response to Mexican drug cartel drone incursions, but later acknowledged the laser was used against the party balloons without proper coordination with the FAA.

  • On February 13, 2026, the FAA closed the airspace over El Paso, Texas.
  • The airspace closure was lifted after just 8 hours, instead of the initially announced 10-day period.

The players

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

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

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

A federal law enforcement agency under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, responsible for border security and customs enforcement.

Department of Defense (DOD)

The U.S. federal executive department responsible for coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government directly related to national security and the U.S. Armed Forces.

Bryan Bedford

The FAA Administrator who reportedly closed the El Paso airspace without notifying the White House, Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense.

Charles Marino

A former advisor to former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, and the current chief executive officer of global security and intelligence advisory firm Sentinel.

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What they’re saying

“The Department of War and the Department of Transportation having been working together for months regarding drone incursion operations. Last night's action to disable the cartel drones was not a spontaneous action.”

— White House official (The Hill)

“Why was everybody out of the loop? Why was everybody caught off guard with this? And so normally, you don't have the FAA as the initial receiver of a threat.”

— Charles Marino, Chief Executive Officer, Sentinel (The Hill)

“I will say there has been miscommunication, or no communication, between at least the Army and FAA for years now.”

— Jennifer Homendy, Chair, National Transportation Safety Board (The Hill)

What’s next

Lawmakers have requested a classified briefing from the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, and Department of Transportation to understand the full details of the incident and the lack of coordination between federal agencies.

The takeaway

The abrupt closure and reopening of the El Paso airspace, along with the conflicting explanations from officials, have eroded public trust and highlighted the need for better communication and coordination between federal agencies responsible for national security and transportation. This incident serves as a wake-up call to address the longstanding issues of interagency cooperation and information sharing.