US reopens airspace over Texas border town, with 'no threat' to commercial flights

US reopens airspace over Texas border town after 'drone incursion'15 minutes agoOlivia IrelandandBrandon DrenonFederal Aviation AdministrationThe Federal Aviation Administration has closed airspace in El Paso for 10 days from WednesdayBrandon DrenonThe US Department of Defense "took action" to disable drones that it said were part of an incursion over El Paso, Texas, which sits on the border with Mexico, and has lifted its order to shut down the area's airspace for 10 days. "The threat has been neutralized, and there is no danger to commercial travel in the region," Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy posted on X. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Tuesday night suddenly ordered flights in and out of the El Paso International Airport to be halted until 20 February, causing shock and confusion among local residents and elected leaders.The agency said on Wednesday morning restrictions had been lifted and flights could resume.City Council member Chris Canales, who represents an area on the southwestern side of El Paso, told the BBC local authorities did not receive any advance notice or reason for the closure. Long-term airspace closures are rare, as the FAA website said since 2018 it has cut airspace closures from an average of more than four hours per launch to just more than two hours. The restriction covered a 10-mile radius around El Paso, including parts of southern New Mexico, west of the town San Teresa. "The notice was published without any advance notice to local governments or to local air traffic controllers," Canales said. "There are some folks who are panicking a bit because of how highly unusual this is, and if you look at El Paso on the map you can see what unique geographical position it is," he added. Mexico's Ciudad Juarez is just south and west of El Paso, and US Army base Fort Bliss and White Sands Missile Range lie to the north.Fort Bliss is a military post focused on training and White Sands Missile Range is the country's largest overland testing range for missiles, rockets and advanced weapons. In a post shared by the City of El Paso on Facebook, El Paso International Airport confirmed all flights had been grounded, "including commercial, cargo and general aviation". "Travellers should contact their airlines to get most up-to-date flight status information," the statement said. The BBC has contacted the FAA and the city of El Paso for comment.