WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration announced the reopening of airspace around El Paso International Airport in Texas on Wednesday morning, following a temporary closure due to an incursion by drones operated by a Mexican cartel.
Earlier, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had declared a 10-day shutdown, halting all flight activities at the airport. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated via X that both the FAA and the Defense Department acted swiftly in response to the drone threat. He assured that the threat was neutralized, allowing commercial travel to resume, though details on the number of drones or their neutralization were not disclosed.
The closure, which was justified by “special security reasons,” was anticipated to cause severe disruptions due to El Paso’s significant metropolitan size. Inquiries were directed to the FAA by the office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
According to Steven Willoughby, deputy director of the counter-drone program at the Department of Homeland Security, cartels frequently use drones to smuggle narcotics across the U.S.-Mexico border and monitor Border Patrol activities. In the latter half of 2024, over 27,000 drone sightings were reported near the southern border, primarily during nighttime. Homeland Security has reported seizing numerous pounds of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and other narcotics transported by drones.
Mexican Officials Visit Washington Post-Shutdown
El Paso, a border city with nearly 700,000 residents, plays a crucial role in cross-border trade with Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. The closure did not extend to Mexican airspace. Ciudad Juárez, boasting a population of 1.5 million, benefits from easy U.S. access, although this attraction extends to cartels seeking control over smuggling routes.
The airport announced on Instagram that the closure would persist until February 20, affecting all commercial, cargo, and general aviation flights. Local news depicted stranded travelers at El Paso airport. The airport confirmed the resumption of operations on Wednesday morning, advising travelers to check with airlines for updated information.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that Mexican defense and navy secretaries would meet with Northern Command officials in Washington on Wednesday, joined by delegates from various countries. Sheinbaum declared that the Mexican representatives would be listeners at the meeting, seeking to understand the closure’s causes. She expressed a lack of information regarding drone usage at the border, suggesting U.S. authorities should communicate further details to Mexico.
‘The Information … Does Not Add Up’
Rep. Veronica Escobar, representing El Paso, criticized the sudden and unannounced restrictions during a Wednesday morning statement. She demanded an explanation from the FAA, stating, “The information coming from the federal government does not add up.” Escobar later expressed doubt about the shutdown being linked to cartel drones, noting this was inconsistent with congressional briefings.
Responding to Escobar, Pentagon officials withheld comments. The El Paso airport, serving as a portal to west Texas, southern New Mexico, and northern Mexico, hosts flights from Southwest, United, American, and Delta, among others.
A similar 10-day flight restriction, still active on Wednesday around Santa Teresa, New Mexico, located 15 miles northwest of El Paso airport, has not been explained by the FAA. U.S. Senator Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico, a Democrat, emphasized the importance of public information and accountability, calling for answers regarding the closure and its abruptness.
