The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has made the decision to close the airspace around El Paso International Airport in Texas, effectively grounding all flights in and out of the airport for the next 10 days. The closure, which was announced late on February 10th on the FAA website, is set to remain in place until February 20th. This unexpected move has left both travelers and airlines scrambling for answers, as no specific explanation has been provided other than a vague reference to “Special Security Reasons.”
In addition to the closure of El Paso International Airport, a similar notice has also been issued for the airspace around Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The restrictions apply to a 10-mile radius around El Paso airport, although flights above 18,000 feet are exempt from the closure. Mexican airspace remains unaffected by the restrictions.
The closure of El Paso International Airport has had a significant impact on major US airlines that operate out of the airport, including Southwest, Delta, United, and American. Southwest Airlines, in particular, is expected to be heavily impacted by the closure, with 480 flights scheduled during the 10-day period. An unnamed spokesperson for the airport has advised travelers to contact their respective airlines for more information regarding the situation.
Congresswoman Veronica Escobar of El Paso has expressed concern over the lack of communication surrounding the closure, stating that there was no advance notice provided to her office, the City of El Paso, or anyone involved in airport operations. In a series of posts on X, Escobar reassured the community that there is currently no immediate threat to the area and urged the FAA to reconsider the Temporary Flight Restrictions imposed on the El Paso region.
As the situation continues to unfold, travelers and airlines alike are left with more questions than answers. The sudden closure of El Paso International Airport has disrupted travel plans and raised concerns about the reasons behind the FAA’s decision. It remains to be seen whether the restrictions will be lifted before the scheduled end date of February 20th.