In a surprising and highly unusual announcement, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has halted all flights to and from El Paso International Airport in Texas for 10 days, effective Feb. 10 at 11:30 p.m. Mountain Standard Time through Feb. 20 at 11:30 p.m. This temporary flight restriction covers all aircraft operations including commercial, cargo and general aviation and extends to nearby Santa Teresa, New Mexico.
The FAA issued the order abruptly and without advance public explanation, saying the action was taken for “special security reasons,” a phrase that has left both travelers and aviation experts scratching their heads. According to the official notice, the airspace over El Paso and parts of southern New Mexico has been classified as national defense airspace. Pilots who enter it without authorization risk interception or enforcement action.
Airport officials say they were notified on short notice and are still seeking clarification about what triggered the decision. In a statement, airport staff reiterated that all flights are grounded and urged passengers to contact their airlines directly for updated flight statuses and rebooking information.
From a traveler’s perspective, this is a rare and dramatic disruption for a regional airport that normally serves millions of passengers each year and operates regular flights to major hubs across the United States. What makes the situation even more unusual is the lack of publicly available detail about the nature of the security concern, leaving passengers and airline crews without clear answers as the ground stop continues.
What should travelers do?
1. Contact your airline immediately.
Airlines will have the most up-to-date information on rebooking, refunds and alternate routing options. Because this was issued with little notice, acting quickly will give you the best chance at securing a workable alternative.
2. Be flexible with your routing.
If your itinerary included El Paso, consider flying into a nearby airport and driving to your final destination.
Closest practical alternatives include:
Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)
273 miles north and likely the most logical major alternative with strong airline service.
Midland International Air and Space Port (MAF)
Roughly 300 miles east. Smaller but potentially workable depending on your origin city.
San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
About 550 miles southeast with significantly more flight options if availability is tight elsewhere.
Ciudad Juárez International Airport (CJS), Mexico
Located directly across the border. This could be an option for experienced cross-border travelers comfortable with international routing and ground logistics. But I’m not sure the border will be open if they’re closing the airspace.
From any of these airports, you can rent a car or arrange ground transportation depending on your schedule and flexibility.
Reserve a rental car as soon as possible.
With thousands of travelers suddenly rerouting, rental cars at nearby airports are likely to sell out quickly or spike in price. If you think you may need one, book it immediately. Most major rental agencies allow free cancellation, so you can always adjust later.
Business travelers in particular should weigh the time and cost of driving versus postponing travel altogether.
3. Monitor official updates.
This remains a developing situation. Keep an eye on FAA notices and local El Paso news sources for real-time updates.
This disruption is a reminder of why flexibility matters. If you’re planning travel to smaller regional airports, especially near international borders or military installations, consider booking fares that allow changes without heavy penalties. Avoid tight same-day connections that depend on a single airport functioning normally.
Airport closures and airspace restrictions of this magnitude are extremely rare, especially without a clear public explanation. If you’re booked to travel through the Southwest in the coming days, this is one situation worth watching closely.