El Paso Airspace Shut Down Due to Drone Activity and Security Concerns

Federal Aviation Administration Announces Airspace Closure in El Paso, Texas

A 10-day airspace closure was initially announced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Wednesday, but it was removed less than eight hours later due to a reported miscommunication between the Pentagon and aviation regulators. The FAA had halted all flights to and from El Paso International Airport at approximately 11:30pm local time on February 10, citing “special security reasons.” The restriction covered an area of about 16km around El Paso, including the nearby community of Santa Teresa.

According to reports, the airspace closure was prompted by concerns raised by aviation officials regarding potential risks to commercial aircraft posed by a military counter-drone laser system. The FAA and the military had planned to discuss the issue at a February 20 meeting, but the army moved ahead without final FAA approval, prompting the agency to halt flights.

The restriction applied to all aircraft flying below roughly 5,500 metres (18,000 feet), while planes flying above that altitude were not expected to be affected. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that the airspace was closed due to an incursion by Mexican drug cartel drones, which he claimed had been neutralized.

Local media reports also warned that pilots who failed to follow the order “may be intercepted, detained and interviewed by law enforcement/security personnel.” The agency added that authorities could use deadly force if it was determined that the aircraft posed an imminent security threat.

Source: Al Jazeera