We live in strange times, but this is especially odd, even in an era where I feel like we’re desensitized to most things. El Paso Airport (ELP) is closed for the next 10 days, and we don’t know why (and don’t worry, I’ll save you the Vasu Raja jokes… IYKYK).
In this post:
FAA halts flights at El Paso Airport for unknown reasons
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has grounded all flights to and from El Paso Airport for a period of 10 days, between 11:30PM on February 10 and 11:30PM on February 20, 2026. This applies to commercial, cargo, and general aviation traffic, and airline passengers are being told to contact their airlines.
The restrictions came in the form of a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), and applies within 10 nautical miles of the airport, and up to an altitude of 18,000 feet. It was announced with little advance notice, so has caught all parties off guard, with the only explanation being offered is that this is due to “special security reasons.”
What could possibly explain this airport closure?
I don’t think we’ve ever seen a commercial airport close for this amount of time with virtually no advance notice, and no obvious reason. It’s not uncommon to see temporary flight restrictions in response to government traffic, or following some sort of a terrorist attack, or something. But to just see a commercial airport close for 10 days without any of that is sort of unheard of.
Interestingly, the 10 nautical miles around the airport isn’t the only airspace being closed. There’s more airspace in the region that’s being restricted as well.
To state the obvious, El Paso is located very close to the border between the United States and Mexico, as is all the airspace impacted by these new 10-day restrictions. One wonders if there’s some sort of military activity planned, or what? At the same time, I can’t really make sense of these airspace closures when you consider how small the zones are.
These are truly incredibly strange times we live in, and I don’t even know what to make of this airport and airspace closure. In response to El Paso Airport’s announcement, I see some local residents in the area asking on the airport’s social media posts whether they’re safe, and I can’t blame them for wondering. Like, can we rule out aliens?
Bottom line
El Paso Airport has just closed, and it will remain that way for the next 10 days. We don’t know why this is happening, other than that it’s due to “special security reasons.” I don’t think we’ve ever seen an airport close for this long without any sort of obvious reason, so one can’t help but wonder what’s going on here…
What do you make of this El Paso Airport closure?
Heads up Juarez. The administration will need to borrow some trouble since DHS really isn't finding much to justify the money spent here.
Can I just say—when people post obviously AI-generated responses, it doesn’t make them sound clever or insightful. It just adds to the growing wave of robotic dialogue that’s becoming increasingly obvious across the internet. Personally, I find that a few spelling, grammar, or punctuation quirks make conversations feel more human, more engaging, and far more entertaining.
Just saw this report:
Today’s Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the next ten days over El Paso is reportedly due to counter-drone operations by the U.S. Armed Forces targeting the cartels in Mexico, utilizing experimental technologies from Biggs Army Airfield at Fort Bliss, with the Defense Department telling the FAA that they could not assure “civilian flight safety” over El Paso and parts of New Mexico, sources briefed...
Just saw this report:
Today’s Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the next ten days over El Paso is reportedly due to counter-drone operations by the U.S. Armed Forces targeting the cartels in Mexico, utilizing experimental technologies from Biggs Army Airfield at Fort Bliss, with the Defense Department telling the FAA that they could not assure “civilian flight safety” over El Paso and parts of New Mexico, sources briefed on the situation have told CNN.
And yet... 10 days became... a few hours? Something doesn't add-up.
Were you expecting things to add up??
while some will turn this into a bash of the government, there likely were very valid reasons for issuing and then cancelling the TFR.
one theory is that the US and Mexican governments were going to JOINTLY target cartels which is exactly what Trump has asked Mexico to do.
It serves Mexico no good to have cartels controlling parts of their territory or engaging on foreign soil. I suspect Mexico agreed to cooperate w/ the...
while some will turn this into a bash of the government, there likely were very valid reasons for issuing and then cancelling the TFR.
one theory is that the US and Mexican governments were going to JOINTLY target cartels which is exactly what Trump has asked Mexico to do.
It serves Mexico no good to have cartels controlling parts of their territory or engaging on foreign soil. I suspect Mexico agreed to cooperate w/ the US.
The US Air Force said it could not ensure the safety of aviation in the area and someone severely underestimated the cost to the region of cutting off air transport and even emergency transport (medical evacuation).
If that is the case, the USAF will sharpen their pencils and do it again w/o the impact to aviation.
If the US and Mexico are really cooperating in going after cartels, that is good for both sides.
Tim, no one is in-favor of cartels. No. One. So, if true, please, by all means, get'r done.
If even what you suggest is true, then, this last-minute, major 10-day closure, then retraction, was a huge lapse in judgment by the Department of Defense (yes, still their official name...).
I don't disagree, 1990.
the real story might be that Mexico and the US are ready to cooperate to target cartels.
the fact that there was minimal impact to aviation says that the DoD is not above public criticism and cutting off aviation access to a US city for military activity is not acceptable.
and you do realize that Minneapolis police are now arresting ICE protestors that are blocking streets and attacking personal property? The...
I don't disagree, 1990.
the real story might be that Mexico and the US are ready to cooperate to target cartels.
the fact that there was minimal impact to aviation says that the DoD is not above public criticism and cutting off aviation access to a US city for military activity is not acceptable.
and you do realize that Minneapolis police are now arresting ICE protestors that are blocking streets and attacking personal property? The current administration is pushing the envelope on many strategies but they are succeeding at their objectives. Let's see what actually happens with cartel activity but I suspect that the US and Mexico will have stronger relations which does benefit aviation.
We really need a dramatic hot AI take from "NickW" so we know what to think.
Four paragraphs, please! (And then... Tim with the first comment, praising him. "Nick's right!")
They just lifted it...so stupid
What a bunch of jokers... I guess the swift, negative reaction didn't go well... try again!
I am shocked to learn that the administration implemented something without thinking it through. First time that has ever happened.
El Paso" Strategy: Raja's strategy at American involved moving away from traditional, large-hub business travel, shifting capacity toward Sun Belt cities, with El Paso frequently cited as a symbol of this shift. This strategy was generally viewed as a failure
I would never comment on a post like this one. Never.
And I would never reply to a comment on a post like this one.
There, I've out-Magritte'd you.
Kinda sucks that this is maybe the most isolated major city in the continental US
I am seeing multiple reports that it’s the DoD that has requested this due to activity at Fort Bliss and others, perhaps ME related;
https://x.com/petemuntean/status/2021573468341383284?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
Outlets reporting it has to do with US government drones being used to counter the cartel in that area.
Hmmmm....run by the local government as a municipal service, the local government and mayor are both Democratic, who'd have thunk it. Airport also has some role with NASA, which perhaps some Ketamine addict wants to bring in-house or at least see not being used.
When you stub your toe, is it also the Democrats fault?
WAG THE DOG... "a strategy where a political leader engages in diversionary tactics—often involving military action or another high-stakes maneuver—to distract the public from a pending or existing scandal, crisis, or failure."
Epstein... *bark bark bark*
You have to believe there really is a threat to aviation - potentially drone activity from Mexico - but I have to believe that this wasn't done without a very clear understanding of the risk and what would be done to eliminate it.
"but I have to believe that this wasn't done without a very clear understanding of the risk and what would be done to eliminate it."
So... you haven't been paying much attention to this administration's decision making process (or lack there of).
Timmy. You don't have to give these clowns the benefit of the doubt. They've long since shown through their actions that they're both incompetent and acting in bad faith.
I am here for the comments
I'm here for the importer/exporter of latex... Art Vandy...
Yeah, everyone will suddenly be an expert on this. We don't know why this is occurring. Could be a very good reason to yeah covering up for other "current events." Smart people would refrain from making judgement/reasons until facts are known. But......
Ah, a classic George Nathan Romey retort... 'everyone else is dumb these days... so no one can have an opinion... but me...' Nah, Georgie, we're here for 'hot takes.' Dish one out, sir!
Why save us from the Vasu Raja jokes Ben? I was looking forward to hearing some when I clicked on the post :)
Come on Ben (and readers), give me the best Vasu Raja jokes you have
Okay. You asked for it. "AA's business model." Okay. Here's another. "Another airline hired him." I got a million of 'em.
The aliens escaped from Area 51
I wish. (That's in Nevada, not Texas, btw.)
Vasu has a long memory--he/Kirby/Darth Vader/UAL are singlehandedly closing off AA's most profitable station, via his consulting firm donations...
Whatever Mango Mussolini is up to, it'll be another distraction from the evidence of sexual assault of minors that continues to drip out from the files.
^This guy gets it. Wag the dog!