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

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete February 11, 2026 at 03:36 PM

AI Summary

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The FAA temporarily closed airspace over El Paso, Texas, on Tuesday night, halting flights in and out of El Paso International Airport until February 20th. The closure, which also affected parts of southern New Mexico, was due to a drone incursion that the Department of Defense addressed. The FAA lifted the restrictions on Wednesday morning, stating that the threat had been neutralized and there was no danger to commercial travel. Local officials, including El Paso City Council member Chris Canales, reported receiving no advance notice of the closure, causing confusion and concern. The airspace closure covered a 10-mile radius around El Paso, a geographically unique area near Mexico's Ciudad Juarez, Fort Bliss, and White Sands Missile Range.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Texas 30% Mexico 40% Fort Bliss 40% Ciudad Juarez 50% Sean Duffy 50% White Sands Missile Range 50% El Paso ×260% United States Department of Defense 70% El Paso International Airport ×280% Federal Aviation Administration ×2100%

Keywords

airspace closure 90% el paso 80% drone incursion 80% federal aviation administration 70% commercial flights 60% texas border 50% us department of defense 50% air traffic control 40%