FAA Closes El Paso and New Mexico Airspace for 10 Days, Citing National Defense
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a notice closing the airspace over El Paso, Texas, and a significant portion of southern New Mexico for ten days, effective from February 10 to February 20. This unprecedented action, classified as 'national defense airspace,' has resulted in the closure of El Paso International Airport to all flights, including commercial, cargo, and general aviation. The FAA's notice warns that pilots who do not comply with the restrictions may face interception and detention by law enforcement. The closure affects a 10 nautical mile radius around the airport, extending from the ground up to 17,000 feet, and includes El Paso and Fort Bliss. The FAA has not provided a detailed explanation for the closure, but it is understood to be related to security concerns. This type of airspace restriction has not been seen since the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.