El Paso Officials Criticize FAA for Sudden Airspace Closure Over Drone Threat
Local officials in El Paso, Texas, expressed frustration over the sudden closure of airspace by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on February 11, 2026. The closure, initially set to last 10 days, was lifted within hours. The FAA cited 'special security reasons' for the closure, which was reportedly due to Mexican cartel drones breaching U.S. airspace. The Department of Defense took action to disable the drones, and the FAA determined there was no threat to commercial travel. El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson criticized the lack of communication from federal agencies, stating that the decision caused chaos and confusion in the community. The closure affected all flights, including medical evacuations, and was described as a major disruption not seen since 9/11. 
