UPDATE 3 9:31am ET: Multiple sources have shared information on why the FAA acted to close El Paso airspace. @OSINTdefender on X reports that drug cartel drones violated US airspace. Military electronic warfare measures were used to down the drones. While the drones were disabled, there were initial concerns about the safety to aircraft in the area. It appears that those concerns have been mitigated.
UPDATE 2 9:03am ET: In a post on X, the FAA has lifted the restrictions on El Paso airspace, effective immediately. We’re sure there is more to this story. We’ll keep you updated.
UPDATE 1 8:44am ET: CNN aviation contributor Pete Muntean (x:@petemuntean) cited a source that the FAA released the NOTAM because the military could not guarantee the safety of aircraft during military operations at Biggs Army Air Field and Fort Bliss.
Original story: In a move widely seen as unprecedented, the FAA has issued a NOTAM that closes the El Paso airspace to all aircraft below FL180. The NOTAM is effective for 10 days. It was issued on the evening of Feb 10, 2026 and seems to include all airlines, cargo, general aviation flights, and even military flights. The NOTAM cites “Special Security instructions” as the reason behind the NOTAM.
The temporary flight restriction also includes airspace in neighboring New Mexico. It notably does not include airspace in neighboring Juarez, Mexico.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) Wednesday morning entirely closing the airspace over the Western Texas city of El Paso for the next ten days, citing “special security reasons,” while classifying a large area over both El Paso and… pic.twitter.com/UIcwVo7PAy
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) February 11, 2026
El Paso Airport Puts Out Notice
Since El Paso airspace includes the El Paso airport and Biggs Army airfield, El Paso International Airport put out an advisory on their Facebook page about the restriction. It states that all flights are halted from February 10th at 11:30pm until February 20th at 11:30pm.
El Paso Airspace NOTAM is unprecedented
A NOTAM like this is unprecedented in US aviation. Even after September 11th, 2001 airspace was only closed for a total of three days. While the affected area is significantly smaller than September 11th, the rushed nature of the closing, lack of communication to airlines and cargo operators, and the length of the effective NOTAM is interesting. Over the next few hours, we hope to learn additional information about the closure, the rationale behind it, potential 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 it was a major mistake. The fact that the NOTAM was not rescinded or edited overnight suggests the former.
Many open questions
The FAA NOTAM will have many repercussions for the local El Paso area and the nation. It also leaves many unanswered questions. El Paso is a geographically isolated area. While the NOTAM is not large in size, El Paso residents do not have another commercial airport within 3 driving hours from the city.
Will the NOTAM evolve to allow emergency medical flights or even permit commercial flights? Can airlines and operators gain one time exceptions to ferry their aircraft outside of El Paso airspace? Is there a military exception? While doubtful, will affected residents and companies be compensated for the countless cancellations and affected plans? At this point, no one knows.
We’ll keep this story updated as we learn more
