Washington: Flights in and out of El Paso International Airport in Texas have resumed after a sudden and unexpected shutdown that briefly grounded all air traffic in the border city.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a notice saying all flights to and from El Paso would be halted for up to 10 days for special security reasons. The move was highly unusual—closing a major US airport and surrounding airspace without warning.
Shortly after, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the restrictions had been lifted, and normal operations would resume. He said authorities had acted to deal with what the government described as a drone incursion by Mexican drug cartels near the border, and that the threat had been neutralized. “There is no danger to commercial travel in the region,” Duffy wrote on social media.
Officials later confirmed that the FAA and the Pentagon cooperated in responding to the situation and that tests of counter-drone systems by the US Army at nearby Fort Bliss were part of the safety concerns that prompted the initial restriction. Following additional safety checks, the FAA lifted the flight ban.
The FAA and DOW acted swiftly to address a cartel drone incursion.
The threat has been neutralized, and there is no danger to commercial travel in the region.
The restrictions have been lifted and normal flights are resuming. https://t.co/xQA1cMy7l0
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) February 11, 2026
The brief grounding affected commercial passenger flights, cargo services, and even medical helicopters at the airport, which serves about 4 million passengers a year. Major airlines, including Southwest, United, and American, reported disruptions and delays as the closure took effect without prior notice to carriers or local authorities.
The move drew sharp criticism. Aviation industry analysts said the FAA’s sudden action lacked adequate explanation, while local and federal lawmakers questioned the transparency of the decision.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her government did not have clear information about any cartel drone activity along the border and would seek to understand what had occurred.
The episode highlights growing concerns over the use of drones by criminal groups near the US–Mexico border and the challenges of balancing aviation safety with security operations in sensitive regions.
