FAA Closes El Paso Airspace for Security Reasons
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has closed the airspace over El Paso, Texas, and surrounding areas for security reasons. This decision affects El Paso International Airport and was announced on a Wednesday without elaboration on the specifics of the threat.
Details of the Airspace Closure
El Paso International Airport reported the grounding of all flights via an Instagram post. The airport is strategically located near Biggs Army Airfield and adjacent to the Mexican city of Juarez. The restrictions were implemented on short notice, leaving the airport awaiting further instructions from the FAA.
The FAA also extended the flight ban to nearby Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The airspace restrictions create a 10-nautical mile exclusion zone around El Paso International Airport, effective until February 21. However, the area does not include Mexican airspace.
Background Information
El Paso International Airport serves as a hub for several major U.S. airlines, including Southwest, Delta, United, and American. In the first 11 months of 2025, the airport accommodated approximately 3.49 million passengers.
El Paso City Overview
- Population: Approximately 680,000
- Rank: 23rd largest city in the United States
Such a closure of airspace over a U.S. city is rare. Similar nationwide airspace restrictions were observed after the September 11, 2001, attacks, marking an unprecedented moment in U.S. aviation history.
