politics
February 11, 2026
FAA lifts flight restrictions over El Paso and New Orleans hours after instituting closure: 'Cartel drone incursion'
The Federal Aviation Administration lifted its airspace closure over El Paso and New Orleans just hours after instituting it, following a Mexican “cartel drone incursion” into U.S. airspace.

TL;DR
- The FAA lifted airspace closures over El Paso and New Orleans shortly after they were put in place.
- The initial reason for the closure was a Mexican 'cartel drone incursion' into U.S. airspace.
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated the threat was neutralized and posed no danger to commercial travel.
- The closure, intended to last 10 days, was lifted after only a few hours.
- The order was issued without advance notice and was in effect for 'Special Security Reasons'.
- This flight shutdown was reportedly unprecedented in U.S. history, exceeding the post-9/11 nationwide closure.
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