The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) halted all flights after cartel drones breached U.S. airspace, although the airspace has since been reopened. The agency initially cited “special security reasons” for the closure.
“The FAA and DOW acted swiftly to address a cartel drone incursion,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on X. “The threat has been neutralized, and there is no danger to commercial travel in the region. The restrictions have been lifted and normal flights are resuming.”
An official told Fox News on Wednesday morning that “Mexican cartel drones breached US airspace. The Department of War took action to disable the drones. The FAA and DOW have determined there is no threat to commercial travel.”
The initial restriction was set to be effective from February 10 through February 20, with leaders criticizing the closure. “The highly consequential decision by the FAA to shut down the El Paso Airport for 10 days is unprecedented and resulted in significant concern in the community,” Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX) said in a statement. “From what my office and I have been able to gather overnight and early this morning, there is no immediate threat to the community or surrounding areas.”
“There was no advance notice provided to my office, the City of El Paso, or anyone involved in airport operations,” she said.
Similarly, City Representative Chris Canales said, “There appears to have been no advance notice to local government, airport leadership, or even local Air Traffic Control or local military leadership.”
Another notice was posted near Santa Teresa, New Mexico.
