EL PASO, Texas — In a move that has stunned aviation experts and local officials, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an immediate, unexplained order grounding all flights at El Paso International Airport and across a massive swath of southern New Mexico for the next 10 days.
The restriction, which took effect at 11:30 p.m. MST on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, is scheduled to remain in place until late Friday, February 20. The order effectively isolates the nation’s 23rd-largest city from the national airspace system, halting all commercial, cargo, and general aviation operations.
“Deadly Force Authorized”
The FAA’s Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) defines the region as “National Defense Airspace,” a designation typically reserved for high-level security threats or active military combat zones. The language in the notice is remarkably severe, warning pilots that any aircraft violating the restricted zone—which extends from the surface up to 18,000 feet—may be intercepted and detained.
Most chillingly, the FAA noted that the “United States government may use deadly force against the airborne aircraft” if it is determined to pose an imminent security threat.
The restricted zone covers a 10-nautical-mile radius around El Paso and extends westward into New Mexico, covering areas near Santa Teresa and the Organ Mountains. Notably, the order explicitly excludes Mexican airspace, allowing flights to continue south of the border while the U.S. side remains paralyzed.
Historical Precedent: Echoes of 9/11
Aviation historians and local officials say a closure of this duration and scale over a major American metropolitan area is nearly unprecedented in the 21st century.
The last time U.S. airspace was shut down with such sweeping authority was the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. On that day, the FAA took the historic step of grounding all civilian aircraft nationwide for approximately three days, with a gradual return to service that took over a week for many hubs.
While shorter Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are common for presidential visits (VIP movement) or major sporting events, those typically last only a few hours. A 10-day total grounding for “special security reasons” without a specific public explanation has not occurred in modern aviation history.
Confusion at the Border
The suddenness of the order left El Paso International Airport (ELP) scrambled. In a statement, airport officials confirmed they were given “short notice” and are currently “pending additional guidance” from federal authorities.
The lack of clarity has fueled intense speculation. El Paso is home to Fort Bliss, one of the U.S. Army’s largest installations, and sits directly on the U.S.-Mexico border. While some speculate the move is tied to escalating border enforcement operations or a localized defense threat, federal agencies—including the Department of Defense and the FAA’s Special Operations Support Center—have declined to provide specifics.
“We’re handed the sheets and they say ‘go with it,'” said one FAA employee who spoke to local media on the condition of anonymity. “I can’t explain the reason for the notices because I don’t know.”
Travel Impact
Major carriers including Southwest, American, United, and Delta have canceled all flights into El Paso through February 20. Travelers are being urged to avoid the airport entirely and contact their airlines for rebooking or refunds.
For a city that serves as the primary gateway for West Texas and southern New Mexico, the economic and logistical fallout of a 10-day “dark” period is expected to be massive, with cargo shipments and medical transport also caught in the crosshairs of the federal mandate.
This is a developing story. Federal authorities have yet to hold a press briefing regarding the “National Defense Airspace” designation.
