Flight restrictions have been put in place And then it was lifted A source told ABC News that the Federal Aviation Administration made the decision on El Paso, Texas, as a precaution amid a potential military drone operation in the area.
The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that there was no threat to commercial aviation. All flights will resume as normal.
Hours after the flight restrictions were issued, the Federal Aviation Administration posted an updated statement saying the temporary closure of airspace over El Paso had… It has been uploaded.
“Mexican cartel drones have penetrated US airspace. The War Department has taken action to disable the drones,” an administration official told ABC News. “The FAA and Department of Defense (DOW) have determined that there is no threat to commercial travel.”
In this file photo, a sign indicates the Federal Aviation Administration’s Boston Air Traffic Control Center, where air traffic controllers continue to work during the US government shutdown, in Nashua, New Hampshire, US, October 9, 2025.
Brian Snyder – Reuters
The previous notice said no flights could be operated starting early Wednesday within a 10-nautical-mile radius of El Paso Airport, including from the ground up to an altitude of 17,999 feet. The notice stated that the restrictions will remain in effect until February 21. This does not include Mexican airspace.
El Paso airport authorities told ABC News in a statement: “The FAA, on short notice, issued a temporary flight restriction that halted all flights to and from El Paso and our neighboring community, Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The restriction prohibits all aircraft operations (including commercial, cargo, and general aviation) and is effective February 10 at 11:30 PM (GMT) through February 20 at 11:30 PM (GMT). Airport staff has reached out to the FAA, and we are awaiting guidance. Additional.”
The airport says airlines have been notified of the restrictions, and travelers are encouraged to check with their airline for the latest flight information.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum She said she had no information about why the airspace over El Paso was closed, but that Mexico would investigate.
“Mexican airspace was not closed. Texas airspace was closed. And a short while ago, they issued a statement from the US Federal Aviation Administration, saying that operations have now resumed as normal. Well, we will look into the exact reasons behind its closure,” Sheinbaum said during a press conference on Wednesday.
Rep. Veronica Escobar, a Democrat whose district includes El Paso, called the notice “unprecedented,” saying it had “resulted in significant concern within the community.”
“From what my office and I were able to gather overnight and early this morning, there is no immediate threat to the community or surrounding areas,” Escobar said in a statement. “No advance notice was provided to my office, the city of El Paso or anyone involved in airport operations.
The airspace is defined as “homeland defense airspace,” according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Pilots who violate these restrictions may be intercepted or detained for questioning by law enforcement.
Failure to comply with these restrictions may result in the FAA imposing a civil penalty or revocation of your pilot’s license. The federal government could also bring criminal charges or even use “deadly force” against an aircraft if it poses an imminent security threat, according to the notice.
ABC News has reached out to the Federal Aviation Administration for additional information behind these restrictions as well as with airlines about disruptions to their operations.
El Paso is home to one of the largest shipping facilities near the border, so these restrictions could have a significant impact on shipments as well. ABC News has also contacted air cargo companies for any information.
Escobar said her office “urged the FAA to immediately lift the temporary flight restrictions imposed on the El Paso area.”
“I will continue to post information as I learn it,” she said.