FAA Halts Flights at El Paso Airport Over Security Concerns

The United States has temporarily halted all flights to and from El Paso International Airport in Texas, citing unspecified “special security reasons,” according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The FAA announced Wednesday that flight operations at the airport, located along the U.S.–Mexico border, had been suspended without providing further details on the nature of the security concern. The restrictions were issued on short notice, according to airport officials.

El Paso International Airport, which sits adjacent to Biggs Army Airfield and directly across the border from Ciudad Juárez in Mexico, confirmed in a social media post that all flights had been grounded. The airport said it was awaiting additional guidance from the FAA regarding the duration and scope of the measures.

In addition to grounding flights at El Paso, the FAA also imposed airspace restrictions over the nearby community of Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The temporary flight restrictions cover an area within a radius of approximately 10 nautical miles from the airport. The agency clarified that the limitations do not extend into Mexican airspace.

The restrictions are scheduled to remain in effect until February 21, though it remains unclear whether they could be lifted earlier or extended depending on evolving conditions. The FAA has not responded publicly to requests for clarification on the specific security issue prompting the move.

El Paso International Airport is a key transportation hub for the region, serving both civilian and military traffic. In the first 11 months of 2025, the airport handled approximately 3.49 million passengers, according to its official data. Several major U.S. carriers operate from the airport, including Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines.

The airport’s proximity to the international border and to military facilities makes it a strategically sensitive location. Biggs Army Airfield, which shares adjacent airspace, supports U.S. Army operations and training missions, adding another layer of operational complexity to the region’s aviation environment.

Passengers scheduled to travel through El Paso have been advised to check directly with their airlines for updated flight information. Airlines are expected to reroute or cancel services as necessary while the restrictions remain in place.

While the FAA’s brief statement has left many details unclear, aviation analysts note that temporary flight restrictions are typically imposed in response to security threats, airspace hazards, or military activity requiring deconfliction of civilian traffic.

Further updates are expected once federal authorities provide clarification on the circumstances that led to the sudden suspension of operations at the border airport.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, yahoo.com, reuters.com