Flights to and from El Paso International Airport in Texas resumed morning after a sudden and unexplained closure that grounded all air traffic for several hours. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initially imposed the restrictions late night, citing “special security reasons,” and initially indicated they would remain in effect until .
The abrupt reversal came after a period of mounting concern and questions from local officials and the aviation industry. Democratic Representative Veronica Escobar, whose district includes El Paso, publicly called for the FAA to lift the restrictions, stating that her office had been informed of no immediate threat to the community. “From what my office and I have been able to gather overnight and early this morning, there is no immediate threat to the community or surrounding areas,” Escobar posted on X. “There was no advance notice provided to my office, the City of El Paso, or anyone involved in airport operations.”
The FAA’s initial notice to airmen (NOTAM) classified the airspace over El Paso and the neighboring community of Santa Teresa, New Mexico, as national defense airspace, warning that deadly force could be authorized against any aircraft deemed to pose an “imminent security threat.” Pilots were also warned they could be intercepted, detained, and interviewed by law enforcement and security personnel.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the lifting of the restrictions on social media, stating that the FAA and Department of Defence had “acted swiftly to address a cartel drone incursion.” Duffy confirmed that the threat had been “neutralized,” but provided no further details. This explanation followed reports from airline sources, relayed to Reuters, suggesting the grounding was linked to the Pentagon’s use of counterdrone technology to address the increasing use of drones by Mexican drug cartels along the U.S.-Mexico border.
According to CNN, the airspace closure was prompted by a U.S. Military operation targeting these cartels. An administration official reportedly told CNN that the Department of Defence had disabled cartel drones that had breached American airspace. The official emphasized that there was “no threat to commercial travel” following the operation.
El Paso International Airport, which handled 3.49 million passengers in the first eleven months of , serves a wide range of U.S. Carriers, including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and their regional affiliates. Cirium, an aviation analytics company, estimated that 43 departures, carrying over 5,900 passengers, were likely canceled on alone.
The temporary closure of airspace over a major U.S. City is a highly unusual event. The last comparable nationwide grounding occurred in the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks. The FAA recently issued a broader warning to airlines in mid-, advising caution when flying over Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America due to potential military activities.
The incident occurs against a backdrop of escalating tensions between the U.S. And regional actors, and follows a series of assertive moves by the Trump administration, including a military buildup in the southern Caribbean and actions against Venezuela. President Trump has repeatedly threatened to take direct action against Mexican drug cartels, even suggesting the possibility of military strikes on land targets, a stance he first articulated during his presidential campaign.
The use of drones by Mexican cartels has been a growing concern for U.S. Authorities. These drones are reportedly used for surveillance, smuggling, and potentially for coordinating criminal activities. The incident in El Paso highlights the challenges of securing the U.S.-Mexico border and the increasing sophistication of criminal organizations operating in the region. The FAA’s swift, though initially perplexing, response underscores the sensitivity surrounding border security and the potential for escalation in the face of perceived threats.
While the immediate crisis has been averted with the resumption of flights, the incident raises questions about the long-term strategy for addressing the drone threat and the coordination between civilian and military authorities in managing border security. Further details regarding the nature of the “cartel drone incursion” and the specific actions taken by the Department of Defence are expected to emerge in the coming days.
