UPDATE 3 9:31am ET: A number of sources have shared info on why the FAA acted to shut El Paso airspace. @OSINTdefender on X stories that drug cartel drones violated US airspace. Army digital warfare measures have been used to down the drones. Whereas the drones have been disabled, there have been preliminary considerations in regards to the security to plane within the space. It seems that these considerations have been mitigated.
UPDATE 2 9:03am ET: In a submit on X, the FAA has lifted the restrictions on El Paso airspace, efficient instantly. We’re certain there’s extra to this story. We’ll hold you up to date.
UPDATE 1 8:44am ET: CNN aviation contributor Pete Muntean (x:@petemuntean) cited a supply that the FAA launched the NOTAM as a result of the army couldn’t assure the security of plane throughout army operations at Biggs Military Air Discipline and Fort Bliss.
Authentic story: In a transfer broadly seen as unprecedented, the FAA has issued a NOTAM that closes the El Paso airspace to all plane beneath FL180. The NOTAM is efficient for 10 days. It was issued on the night of Feb 10, 2026 and appears to incorporate all airways, cargo, basic aviation flights, and even army flights. The NOTAM cites “Particular Safety directions” as the rationale behind the NOTAM.
The non permanent flight restriction additionally consists of airspace in neighboring New Mexico. It notably doesn’t embrace airspace in neighboring Juarez, Mexico.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Discover to Airmen (NOTAM) Wednesday morning totally closing the airspace over the Western Texas metropolis of El Paso for the following ten days, citing “particular safety causes,” whereas classifying a big space over each El Paso and… pic.twitter.com/UIcwVo7PAy
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) February 11, 2026
El Paso Airport Places Out Discover
Since El Paso airspace consists of the El Paso airport and Biggs Military airfield, El Paso Worldwide Airport put out an advisory on their Fb web page in regards to the restriction. It states that each one flights are halted from February tenth at 11:30pm till February twentieth at 11:30pm.
El Paso Airspace NOTAM is unprecedented
A NOTAM like that is unprecedented in US aviation. Even after September eleventh, 2001 airspace was solely closed for a complete of three days. Whereas the affected space is considerably smaller than September eleventh, the rushed nature of the closing, lack of communication to airways and cargo operators, and the size of the efficient NOTAM is fascinating. Over the following few hours, we hope to be taught further details about the closure, the rationale behind it, potential exceptions, and the way these affected by it will likely be accommodated.
A NOTAM of this magnitude both represents one thing very severe by way of nationwide safety or it was a serious mistake. The truth that the NOTAM was not rescinded or edited in a single day suggests the previous.
Many open questions
The FAA NOTAM can have many repercussions for the native El Paso space and the nation. It additionally leaves many unanswered questions. El Paso is a geographically remoted space. Whereas the NOTAM is just not giant in measurement, El Paso residents wouldn’t have one other business airport inside 3 driving hours from the town.
Will the NOTAM evolve to permit emergency medical flights and even allow business flights? Can airways and operators achieve one time exceptions to ferry their plane outdoors of El Paso airspace? Is there a army exception? Whereas uncertain, will affected residents and firms be compensated for the numerous cancellations and affected plans? At this level, nobody is aware of.
We’ll hold this story up to date as we be taught extra
