FAA Closes El Paso Airspace for 10 Days in Rare Move

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has abruptly closed airspace over El Paso, Texas, for 10 days under a rare national defense designation, grounding all flights and raising questions among local officials over the lack of explanation, Axios reports.

The Federal Aviation Administration late Tuesday issued an unusual temporary flight restriction (TFR) that effectively shuts down all air traffic within a 10-mile radius of El Paso, Texas, citing “special security reasons.”

According to a notice to pilots, the restricted zone has been classified as national defense airspace, standard language for which includes a warning that deadly force may be used against aircraft that violate the restriction. The TFR covers the airspace above El Paso International Airport, cutting off the city’s primary aviation hub.

“All flights to and from El Paso are grounded, including commercial, cargo and general aviation,” El Paso International Airport said in a statement posted on Facebook early Wednesday, urging travelers to check directly with airlines for updates.

The FAA did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Axios.

Lack of Notice Raises Concerns

Local and state officials said the move came without warning. U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro and Texas State Representative Vincent Perez were among lawmakers expressing surprise, according to reporting by The New York Times.

El Paso City Representative Chris Canales wrote on Reddit that neither civilian nor military leadership in the area received advance notice of the shutdown.

Temporary flight restrictions are commonly used in the United States, including for large public events such as the Super Bowl. However, aviation experts and lawmakers noted that it is highly unusual for the FAA to shut down airspace over a major U.S. city for an extended period without publicly explaining the reason.

Military and Cross-Border Implications

Adding to the unusual nature of the order, the TFR does not include standard exemptions typically granted to first responder or U.S. military aircraft. The restriction also encompasses Biggs Army Airfield, which supports U.S. military aviation operations along the U.S.–Mexico border.

The 10-mile restriction zone overlaps geographically with parts of Ciudad Juárez in Mexico, although the FAA clarified that Mexican airspace itself is excluded from the order.

The FAA retains the authority to end the restriction early if it determines the security conditions no longer require it.