Federal Government Briefly Pauses Air Travel Into El Paso

Experts discuss what the incident says about border security and the lives of El Pasoans

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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In a recent episode of The Texas Tribune's weekly podcast TribCast, host Matthew Watkins interviewed Robert Moore, CEO of El Paso Matters, about the federal government's brief pause on air travel into El Paso. The discussion explored what this incident reveals about the federal government, border security, and the daily lives of residents in the El Paso region.

Why it matters

The temporary halt on air travel into El Paso raised questions about the federal government's approach to border security and its impact on local communities. As a major border city, El Paso's connectivity and economic activity are closely tied to cross-border movement, so disruptions like this can have significant ripple effects.

The details

The federal government briefly paused air travel into El Paso for undisclosed security reasons, causing disruptions and confusion for travelers and residents. Experts say this incident highlights the complex dynamics between federal border policies and the daily lives of people living in border regions like El Paso.

  • The federal government briefly paused air travel into El Paso on February 15, 2026.

The players

Robert Moore

CEO of El Paso Matters, a nonprofit news organization focused on the El Paso region.

Matthew Watkins

Host of The Texas Tribune's weekly podcast TribCast.

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What they’re saying

“This incident highlights the complex dynamics between federal border policies and the daily lives of people living in border regions like El Paso.”

— Robert Moore, CEO, El Paso Matters (TribCast)

The takeaway

The temporary halt on air travel into El Paso underscores the need for policymakers to carefully consider the real-world impacts of border security measures on local communities and their economic and social well-being.