Why was El Paso airspace shut down? Drones, security fears and confusion | US-Mexico Border News
Air Traffic Disruption in El Paso Linked to New Military Drone Countermeasure
A new United States military laser-based anti-drone system prompted authorities to suspend air traffic in and out of El Paso, Texas, due to concerns about safety risks to commercial aircraft.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initially implemented a 10-day airspace restriction on February 10, but lifted the ban less than eight hours later. Reports indicate that miscommunication between the Pentagon and aviation regulators contributed to the swift reversal.
Officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, cited apprehensions that the military’s counter-drone laser system could endanger aircraft, as reported by Reuters. The FAA and military had planned to address this matter in a meeting scheduled for February 20. However, the military proceeded with operations without final FAA clearance, which led to the abrupt flight suspension.
Flight operations were halted at approximately 11:30 p.m. local time, with the FAA citing “special security reasons.” The airspace closure affected a 16-kilometer area around El Paso, including Santa Teresa, and was expected to last until February 20. The restrictions applied to all aircraft flying below about 18,000 feet, leaving higher-altitude flights mostly unaffected.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy attributed the airspace closing to calls regarding drone incursions tied to Mexican drug cartels, stating that “the threat has been neutralized.” Local reports indicated that the FAA cautioned pilots that failing to comply with the airspace restrictions could result in interception by law enforcement.
Such a significant restriction on air traffic had not occurred in El Paso since the nationwide airspace lockdown following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Reason for Airspace Closure
While the FAA initially referenced “special security reasons,” Secretary Duffy clarified that a cartel drone was reported to have entered U.S. airspace. Sources familiar with the situation indicated that the grounding was primarily related to the Defense Department’s testing of new high-energy laser technology designed to combat unmanned aircraft.
The Pentagon’s operations in the vicinity of El Paso International Airport, including drone testing, raised FAA concerns about their potential impact on commercial flights.
Local officials expressed frustration over the sudden airspace restriction. U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, whose district includes El Paso, questioned the urgency of the drone incursion claims, stating that the FAA should explain the decision-making process. El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson criticized the lack of communication surrounding the closure, emphasizing that such actions should involve coordination with local authorities and community leaders.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected U.S. assertions that Mexican drones violated U.S. airspace, asserting that no evidence of such incursions exists.
Security experts noted that while drone sightings near sensitive sites are not uncommon, the extensive airspace restriction was unusual. Mark Cancian, a retired Marine Corps colonel, pointed out that shutting down a large area of airspace for an extended period is unprecedented and raises concerns about potential economic and social ramifications.
Frequency of Drone Incursions
The Trump administration had previously warned about Mexican cartels employing drones along the U.S.-Mexico border for drug smuggling. However, Mexican authorities have frequently downplayed the level of the drone threat.
Steven Willoughby, deputy director of the counter-drone program at the Department of Homeland Security, informed Congress in July that drone activity by cartels is nearly daily. Reports indicated that over 27,000 drone flights were detected within 500 meters of the southern border during the last half of 2024.
Experts suggest that drone incursions pose significant risks to civilian aircraft, especially in populated areas like El Paso, where the potential for conflict is heightened.
Use of Drones in Mexico
In addition to border activities, drone technology is actively employed in Mexico, primarily in territorial conflicts between rival criminal groups. The Jalisco Nueva Generacion cartel has been particularly noted for its integration of military tactics and drone technology in confrontations with competing factions.
Drones have increasingly been utilized for surveillance and as delivery systems for explosives during violent territorial disputes. Reports suggest that tens of thousands of people in rural Michoacán have been displaced due to such tactics.
The recent use of drone technology underscores its evolving role in both criminal operations and military applications, highlighting the need for ongoing dialogue regarding security measures and public safety.
