The FAA briefly closed airspace around El Paso International Airport (KELP) early Wednesday morning. [Credit: El Paso International Airport]
Key Takeaways:
The FAA abruptly implemented and then lifted a temporary flight restriction (TFR) over El Paso airspace, surprising local officials, airport leadership, and air traffic controllers.
Conflicting explanations arose for the TFR; while sources cited U.S. military testing of counter-drone technology, the Transportation Secretary claimed it was due to a "cartel drone incursion," a reason immediately disputed by local and Mexican government officials.
The TFR caused significant disruption, grounding all flights, diverting medical evacuations, and leading to considerable economic losses, with local leaders vehemently criticizing the FAA's "unacceptable" lack of communication and transparency.
Last updated Wednesday, February 11 at 12:15 p.m. EST.
The FAA on Wednesday morning abruptly lifted a temporary flight restriction (TFR) for airspace in El Paso, Texas, which officials said came as a surprise to local governments, airport leadership, and air traffic controllers (ATCs), including those at the Albuquerque Air Route Traffic Control Center.
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Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.
