El Paso Airport Traffic Dips After Post-Pandemic Rebound

UTEP receives $2 million for drone research and operations expansion

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) has announced receiving $2 million in federal funding to expand its drone testing and operations infrastructure. This comes after four years of steady gains in El Paso airport traffic following the COVID-19 pandemic, which airport officials say is now stabilizing with expectations of slow growth going forward.

Why it matters

The dip in El Paso airport traffic after a post-pandemic rebound reflects broader economic trends, while UTEP's drone research investment signals the city's efforts to position itself as a hub for emerging aviation technologies.

The details

El Paso International Airport saw consistent increases in passenger traffic over the past four years as the region recovered from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, airport officials now say traffic is stabilizing and they expect only slow growth moving forward. Meanwhile, UTEP has received $2 million in federal funding to expand its drone testing and operations capabilities, underscoring the city's efforts to develop its aviation technology sector.

  • Over the past four years, El Paso airport traffic has steadily increased following the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Airport officials now say traffic is stabilizing and they expect only slow growth going forward.

The players

University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)

A public research university located in El Paso, Texas that has received $2 million in federal funding to expand its drone testing and operations infrastructure.

El Paso International Airport

The airport serving the city of El Paso, Texas, which has seen a dip in passenger traffic after a post-pandemic rebound.

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The takeaway

The stabilization of El Paso airport traffic after a post-pandemic rebound reflects broader economic trends, while UTEP's investment in drone research signals the city's efforts to position itself as a hub for emerging aviation technologies.