Why did the FAA ground flights at El Paso for 10 days? What we know
A rare FAA security order halts all flights in and out of El Paso, disrupting a major U.S. aviation hub with no public explanation.
The Federal Aviation Administration banned most flights around El Paso late Tuesday, effectively forcing a closure of the city’s airport until Feb. 21.
The agency cited “special security reasons” as the catalyst for the closure, but did not provide further information in its notice.
A social media post from the El Paso airport acknowledged the closure.
“All flights to and from El Paso are grounded, including commercial, cargo and general aviation. The FAA has issued a flight restriction halting all flights to and from El Paso effective from February 10 at 11:30 PM (MST) to February 20 at 11:30PM (MST). Travelers should contact their airlines to get most up-to-date flight status information,” the post said.
The airport is served by:
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines and American Eagle
- Delta Air Lines
- Frontier Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines and United Express
The restriction covers a 10‑mile area around El Paso and applies to all airspace from the ground up to nearly 18,000 feet. Under the restriction, aircraft are not allowed to fly in the area unless they receive specific authorization from federal officials. It does not affect nearby Mexican airspace.
Robert W. Mann Jr., a former airline executive officer and current president of R.W. Mann and Co., an independent airline consultancy, said he’s scratching his head trying to figure out what’s going on.
“It’s unprecedented. I’ve never seen anything like this,” he said.
At 2:30 a.m. (local time) Wednesday, Feb. 11, El Paso International Airport appeared nearly deserted. Employees on site said they were unsure what prompted the halt of all flights.
Noah Velasquez, a Lower Valley resident, was scheduled to depart for New York City at 7 a.m. Like many travelers, he was notified around midnight that his flight had been canceled.
Velasquez said he and other passengers were among the first to alert American Airlines to the situation at El Paso International Airport.
“American Airlines wasn’t even notified,” Velasquez said. “We were the ones who told them. It’s very confusing. I don’t know what’s going on either.”
The city of El Paso issued a statement on the restriction at 12:35 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11.
“Airport staff has reached out to the FAA, and we are pending additional guidance,” according to the city’s statement. “In the meanwhile, commercial airlines operating out of El Paso are being informed of the restriction, which appears to be security related. Travelers are encouraged to contact their airlines to get the latest information on their flight status.”
Officials at El Paso International Airport said they have contacted the FAA and are awaiting additional guidance. Commercial airlines operating out of El Paso are being notified of the restriction.
What to do if your flight is affected by the closure
Travelers are encouraged to contact their airlines for the latest flight status and rebooking information.
If your flight is affected by the airport closure, you’re entitled to a full refund if you choose not to travel. Airlines will likely try to reaccommodate affected passengers, but El Paso is hundreds of miles from other airports with commercial service.
Among the nearest are Albuquerque, New Mexico, at least a three-and-a-half hour drive away, and Tucson, Arizona, about a four-and-a-half hour drive away, according to Google Maps.
Southwest Airlines acknowledged the closure in a statement to USA TODAY.
“At the direction of the FAA, Southwest has paused all operations to and from El Paso International Airport. We have notified affected Customers and will share additional information as it becomes available. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of its Customers and Employees,” the statement said.
The airline did not specify how customers were being reaccommodated. The other airlines serving El Paso did not immediately respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY.
Planes, crews could be stuck
Mann, the aviation consultant, warned that in addition to flight cancellations, airplanes and crews could be stuck in El Paso for the duration of the closure.
“The (temporary flight restrictions) are absolute unless the carriers and operators get waivers. Presumably if they can move the airplanes they’re going to want to move the crews,” he said. “With the airport closure, I’m not sure exactly how that will work.”
Mann noted that with the airport closed, it’s possible Transportation Security Administration officers will stand down from duty, meaning airline crews wouldn’t be able to get screened, even if their companies could get waivers to fly planes out of the airport.
For both passengers and crews, El Paso’s location is a further complicating factor.
“El Paso is really remote. There’s nothing convenient that you’re going to be able to fly to as an alternate. You’re talking hours away by a drive to the highway,” Mann said, suggesting that airlines may have to resort to moving crews over land to get them out of the city.
He also said that it’s not clear if medivac flights will be eligible for waivers.
“That’s a life safety issue in some cases,” Mann said.
This is a developing story.
Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at [email protected].
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