FAA abruptly halted El Paso flights over Defense Department's plans for anti-drone technology

February 11, 2026

TL;DR

FAA abruptly grounded flights at El Paso International Airport for 10 days.
The grounding was due to the Department of Defense testing anti-drone technology.
The order was lifted hours after being imposed.
A Trump administration official stated the Department of Defense disabled Mexican cartel drones that breached U.S. airspace.
Officials emphasized there was no threat to commercial air travel.
The airport is located near the Mexican border and Biggs Army Airfield.
El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson criticized the grounding as a "major and unnecessary disruption" and called for better communication.
Lawmakers, including Rep. Rick Larsen and Rep. André Carson, called the handling of the order "unacceptable" but commended the FAA for swift action.
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar stated the closure was "unprecedented" with no advance notice.

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