UPDATE 3 9:31 am ET: Multiple sources have shared information about why the FAA acted to close El Paso airspace. @OSINTdefender in X reports that drug cartel drones violated US airspace. Military electronic warfare measures were used to shoot down the drones. While the drones were disabled, there were initial concerns about the safety of aircraft in the area. Those concerns appear to have been mitigated.
UPDATE 2 9:03 am ET: In a post on XThe FAA has lifted restrictions on El Paso airspace, effective immediately. We are sure there is more to this story. We will keep you informed.
UPDATE 1 8:44 am ET: Pete Muntean, CNN aviation contributor (x:@petemuntean) cited a source that the FAA released the NOTAMs because the military could not ensure the safety of aircraft during military operations at Biggs Army Air Field and Fort Bliss.
Original story: In a move widely considered unprecedented, the FAA issued a NOTAM closing El Paso airspace to all aircraft below FL180. The NOTAM is valid for 10 days. It aired on the night of February 10, 2026, and appears to include all airlines, cargo flights, general aviation flights, and even military flights. The NOTAM cites “special safety instructions” as the reason behind the NOTAM.
The temporary flight restriction also includes airspace in neighboring New Mexico. Notably, it does not include airspace in neighboring Juárez, Mexico.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) on Wednesday morning completely closing airspace over the West Texas city of El Paso for the next ten days, citing “special safety reasons,” while classifying a large area over both El Paso and… pic.twitter.com/UIcwVo7PAy
– OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) February 11, 2026
El Paso airport issues warning
Since El Paso airspace includes the El Paso Airport and Biggs Army Airfield, El Paso International Airport posted a notice on its Facebook page about the restriction. It indicates that all flights are suspended from February 10 at 11:30 p.m. until February 20 at 11:30 p.m.
NOTAM of El Paso airspace is unprecedented
A NOTAM like this is unprecedented in US aviation. Even after September 11, 2001, airspace was only closed for a total of three days. While the affected area is significantly smaller than 9/11, the rushed nature of the closure, the lack of communication with airlines and cargo operators, and the length of the effective NOTAM are interesting. Over the next few hours, we expect to learn additional information about the closure, the reason behind it, possible exceptions, and how those affected by it will be accommodated.
A NOTAM of this magnitude either represents something very serious in terms of national security or was a serious mistake. The fact that the NOTAM was not rescinded or edited overnight suggests the former.
Many open questions
The FAA NOTAM will have many implications for the local El Paso area and the nation. It also leaves many questions unanswered. El Paso is a geographically isolated area. While NOTAM is not large in size, El Paso residents do not have another commercial airport within a 3-hour drive of the city.
Will NOTAM evolve to allow emergency medical flights or even allow commercial flights? Can airlines and operators obtain one-time exceptions to transport their aircraft out of El Paso airspace? Is there a military exception? Although it is doubtful, will affected residents and businesses be compensated for the countless cancellations and affected plans? At this point nobody knows.
We’ll keep this story updated as we learn more.
