The FAA abruptly reopened the airspace over El Paso, Texas, Wednesday morning, canceling a stunning order issued just hours earlier that had grounded all flights for a planned 10 days, the Associated Press reports.
The whip-sawing directives caused immediate chaos for travel advisors and airlines, leaving thousands of passengers in limbo before the “all clear” was suddenly sounded.
What Happened
Late Tuesday, the FAA issued a frantic “National Defense Airspace” notice closing the skies over El Paso and Santa Teresa, N.M., citing “special security reasons.”
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The trigger: Officials now say the lockdown was a response to a “cartel drone incursion” near the border, which created a conflict with U.S. military drone operations at the nearby Biggs Army Airfield.
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The reversal: By Wednesday morning, the FAA declared the threat “neutralized,” stating there was no longer a danger to commercial aviation.
The friction: The closure was so sudden that pilots were caught off guard mid-air, per reports.
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Local officials, including Rep. Veronica Escobar, blasted the lack of communication, calling the order “unprecedented” and noting they were given zero advance notice.
What they’re saying: “The FAA and the Defense Department acted swiftly… The threat has been neutralized,” said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
The bottom line: El Paso (ELP) is open for business. Advisors should tell clients that while the immediate threat has passed, the “bizarre” nature of the event suggests high tensions remain in the region’s airspace.
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