The FAA briefly closed airspace around El Paso International Airport (KELP) early Wednesday morning. [Credit: El Paso International Airport]
Key Takeaways:
The FAA abruptly imposed and then lifted a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over El Paso airspace, causing significant disruptions to all flights, including commercial, cargo, and medical, and drawing strong criticism from local leaders.
Conflicting reasons were provided for the TFR, with sources citing U.S. military counter-drone testing and the U.S. Transportation Secretary stating it was due to a "cartel drone incursion," an explanation disputed by local and Mexican officials.
Local governments, airport leadership, and elected officials severely criticized the FAA for its complete lack of advance notice and transparency, calling the communication failure "unacceptable" and potentially life-threatening.
A similar, unaddressed TFR for national security reasons remains in effect over nearby Santa Teresa, New Mexico, adding to the ongoing confusion and economic impact.
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.
CREATE A FREE ACCOUNT
Sign up to keep reading
Create a free account to continue. Already a member? Sign in below.
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.
