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The Federal Aviation Administration has halted all flights to and from El Paso International Airport in Texas following what officials described as a national security threat.
The temporary restriction affects all aircraft operations and will remain in place for 10 days.
FAA Declares National Defence Airspace
According to the FAA, the airspace over El Paso International Airport has been designated as national defence airspace. The restriction began on February 10 at 11:30 PM Mountain Standard Time and is scheduled to remain in effect until February 20 at 11:30 PM MST.
The order applies to all aircraft, including commercial airlines, cargo flights, and general aviation.
In its notice to pilots, the FAA warned that failure to comply with the new restrictions could result in detention. The agency also stated that the United States government may use deadly force against an aircraft if it determines that it poses an imminent security threat.
Impact on Commercial and Cargo Flights
El Paso International Airport confirmed that the temporary flight restriction was issued on short notice. The order also affects nearby Santa Teresa, New Mexico.
Airport officials said commercial airlines operating out of El Paso are being notified of the situation. Travelers with upcoming flights are advised to contact their airlines directly for updated flight information.
The airport added that it has contacted the FAA and is awaiting further guidance regarding the security-related restriction.
What Travelers Should Know
Passengers scheduled to travel through El Paso International Airport during the affected period should:
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Check flight status directly with their airline
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Monitor official airport and FAA updates
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Prepare for potential delays or cancellations
No additional details about the nature of the national security threat have been released.
