FAA Halts All Flights at El Paso Airport for 10 Days due to Special Security Reasons

[Marc]

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a 10-day flight suspension for El Paso International Airport in Texas late Tuesday evening, referencing unidentified “special security reasons” as justification.

According to FAA announcements, the ban covers airspace above El Paso and nearby Santa Teresa, New Mexico, beginning at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday and continuing through February 20. The notices provided no explanation for the security concerns behind the action.

Through a social media post, El Paso International Airport announced a travel alert indicating that all aircraft operations, ncluding passenger flights, freight services, and private aviation, had been suspended. The airport advised passengers to check with their carriers for current flight information.

Source: New York Times

Full NOTAM

FDC 6/2233 ZAB PART 1 OF 2 TX..AIRSPACE EL PASO, TX..TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS. FEBRUARY 10-20, 2026 LOCAL.

PURSUANT TO 49 USC 40103(B)(3), THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) CLASSIFIES THE AIRSPACE DEFINED IN THIS NOTAM AS ‘NTL DEFENSE AIRSPACE’. PILOTS WHO DO NOT ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING PROC MAY BE INTERCEPTED, DETAINED AND INTERVIEWED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT/SECURITY PERSONNEL

ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL ACTIONS MAY ALSO BE TAKEN AGAINST A PILOT WHO DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE RQMNTS OR ANY SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR PROC ANNOUNCED IN THIS NOTAM: A) THE FAA MAY TAKE ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION, INCLUDING IMPOSING CIVIL PENALTIES AND THE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF AIRMEN CERTIFICATES; OR B) THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT MAY PURSUE CRIMINAL CHARGES, INCLUDING CHARGES UNDER 49 USC SECTION 46307; OR C) THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT MAY USE DEADLY FORCE AGAINST THE AIRBORNE ACFT, IF IT IS DETERMINED THAT THE ACFT POSES AN IMMINENT SECURITY THREAT.

PURSUANT TO 14 CFR 99.7, SPECIAL SECURITY INSTRUCTIONS, ALL ACFT FLT OPS ARE PROHIBITED: WI AN AREA DEFINED AS 10NM RADIUS OF 2602110630-2602210630 END PART 1 OF 2 FDC 6/2233 ZAB PART 2 OF 2 TX..AIRSPACE EL PASO, TX..TEMPORARY FLIGHT 314826N1062235W (ELP252004.9) SFC-17999FT MSL EFFECTIVE 2602110630 UTC (2330 LOCAL 02/10/26) UNTIL 2602210630 UTC (2330 LOCAL 02/20/26).

EXCLUDING MEXICAN AIRSPACE. THE SYSTEM OPERATION SUPPORT CENTER (SOSC), TEL 202-267-8276, IS THE POINT OF CONTACT. 2602110630-2602210630 END PART 2 OF 2

Source: NOTAM 6/2233

Reddit Comment from El Paso City Councilmember

Source: reddit.com/r/ADSB

[BennyBoy_Alpha]

Very strange, and given that military is affected as well - it doesn’t really make sense to me why there’s been no clarification as to what these special reasons are.

[Marc]

The theory I’ve seen mentioned most so far on Reddit is that it might be because of a nuclear weapons test.

[Brttttttttt5]

Hello @Marc ,
As a military aircraft person I believe that the United States is performing a Counter-Smuggling Operation involving military aircraft from the US. I believe this considering that the Federal Aviation Administration had previously issued a NOTAM to United States Airlines that they could be intercepted when entering Mexican, Equadorian, or Colombian airspace due to military activity.

[Brttttttttt5]

Final flight allowed to arrive was an American 737 Operating Dallas-El Paso Round Trip Scheduled for return today.

[Brttttttttt5]

Dear @Marc ,
The TFR has been lifted with an official reason coming from the FAA and United States Government. They have given the reason that a Cartel Drone breached the airspace in the United States around El Paso. This was likely just in case they tried to complete a delivery or use more drones the United States Military could respond.

[United403]

It was due to an (unidentified) mexican registered drone entering El Paso’s class Charlie airpace from what I’ve heard and read

[Marc]

It still doesn’t make any sense that they issued a 10 day TFR. This sounds more like them accidentally typing “21” in the end-date box rather than 11, inadvertently turning a 1-day TFR into a 10-day TFR.