As the Federal Aviation Administration announced the closure of the airspace of El Paso in Texas for the next 10 days without giving any reason, panic spread even among local leaders as they came out in public admitting that they were also clueless about the sudden development. El Paso City Council member Chris Canales said he along with other local leaders was trying to find out why the ‘crazy’ NOTAM was issued. It was, however, lifted Wednesday.Canales said there was no reason to panic and the NOTAM was not a typo or error. But both the civilian leadership and the military leadership of the city were in the dark about this airspace restriction. Even local air traffic controllers did not get any advance notice. “Military does not have carte blanche exemption. Army seems to be fretting about their flights tomorrow just as much as everyone else,” the councilman wrote in a social media post.
The decision spread fear as this was the first time after 9/11 that all flights to and from a US-based international airport would be grounded. “All flights to and from El Paso are grounded, including commercial, cargo and general aviation,” the airport wrote on Instagram of the restrictions, which will remain in effect until February 20. “Travelers should contact their airlines to get most up-to-date flight status information.”The advisory does not apply to Mexican airspace or aircraft flying above 18,000 feet.“From what my office and I have been able to gather overnight and early this morning there is no immediate threat to the community or surrounding areas,” Rep Veronica Escobar wrote on X Wednesday morning. “There was no advance notice provided to my office, the City of El Paso, or anyone involved in airport operations.”El Paso Airport is the gateway to Mexico and many experts speculated whether the Trump administration was planning to launch a drone strike on cartel targets in Mexico.
Safety of civilian aircraft at stake?
CNN cited a source and reported that the flight ban was driven by military operations from nearby Biggs Army Airfield, located on Fort Bliss. Drones, helicopters and other aircraft operate from the facility. The source said the FAA acted after the Department of Defense could not assure the safety of civilian aircraft in the area.The FAA NOTAM says pilots who violate the restriction could be intercepted, detained and questioned by law enforcement. It warns that additional actions could be taken for pilots who don’t adhere to the restrictions, including suspension of flight certifications, criminal charges, and that the US government “may use deadly force” if an aircraft poses an “imminent security threat.”
