FAA Grounds El Paso International Airport for 10 Days on ‘Special Security Reasons’ – Regional Economic Ripple Effects Felt from El Paso to Las Cruces and Alamogordo

Alamogordo, New Mexico – February 11, 2026 – In an unprecedented and unexplained move, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) halting all flights to and from El Paso International Airport (ELP) for a full 10 days, effective from 11:30 p.m. MST on February 10 through 11:30 p.m. MST on February 20. The restriction, classified as “national defense airspace,” prohibits all aircraft operations—including commercial, cargo, general aviation, and most military flights—within a 10-nautical-mile radius around the El Paso VORTAC, extending into southern New Mexico near Santa Teresa.

The FAA’s NOTAM (FDC 6/2233) cites “special security reasons” but provides no further details, leaving local officials, airport management, and residents in the dark. The closure affects El Paso International Airport as the primary gateway for west Texas, southern New Mexico, and northern Mexico, with major carriers like Southwest, United, American, and Delta operating there. It also overlaps with operations at Biggs Army Airfield at nearby Fort Bliss, though limited military exemptions may apply in classified contexts.

Who Authorized It?

The TFR was issued directly by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), typically in response to requests from federal security partners such as the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or intelligence agencies for matters involving national defense or classified threats. The “national defense airspace” designation invokes high-level federal authority under 49 USC 40103(b)(3), often without public disclosure of specifics. No advance notice was given to El Paso city officials, the airport, or regional stakeholders, and the FAA has not elaborated despite inquiries.

Regional Economic Impact – From El Paso to Las Cruces and Alamogordo

El Paso International Airport handled approximately 3.49 million passengers in the first 11 months of 2025, serving as a vital hub for passenger travel, cargo logistics, tourism, business, and cross-border commerce. The 10-day shutdown disrupts:

• Passenger and tourism flows — Stranded travelers, canceled vacations, family visits, and business trips in a metro area of ~680,000 residents.

• Cargo and supply chains — Delays in air freight critical for regional industries, potentially shifting demand to ground transport and increasing costs.

• Hospitality, retail, and services — Immediate revenue losses for hotels, rental cars, restaurants, and local businesses reliant on airport traffic.

The effects extend northward into southern New Mexico, where El Paso serves as the closest major commercial airport for communities like Las Cruces (Doña Ana County) and Alamogordo (Otero County). Residents in these areas frequently use ELP for flights to hubs like Dallas, Phoenix, Denver, and beyond, as well as for medical travel, family connections, and economic activities tied to Holloman Air Force Base and Fort Bliss.

• In Las Cruces (home to New Mexico State University and growing industrial sectors), the closure could strand students, faculty, business travelers, and cargo-dependent operations, amplifying regional reliance on ground travel (e.g., longer drives to Albuquerque or Phoenix airports) and raising costs.

• In Alamogordo (~32,000 residents, military-focused economy via Holloman AFB), and White Sands National Park impacts include disrupted travel for tourism, personnel, families, contractors, and visitors; potential delays in supply chains for base-related needs; and broader economic strain in a region already navigating challenges to the economy with a large poverty rate in the area.

Aviation and economic analysts describe the move as rare and disruptive—comparable to post-9/11 airspace closures but unusual for a commercial airport without a declared public crisis. Local businesses and chambers of commerce are monitoring for cascading effects on cross-border trade, military partnerships, and tourism in the border region.

Travelers should contact airlines directly for updates, rebook via alternative airports (e.g., Albuquerque or Phoenix), or monitor real-time status via Flightradar24 or the FAA’s TFR site (https://tfr.faa.gov). The El Paso International Airport advisory urges checking airline notifications.

For the latest developments, visit AlamogordoTownNews.org or KALHRadio.org. This story highlights the interconnectedness of our regional economy and the need for transparency in federal actions affecting daily life and commerce.

Citations / Sources

• FAA NOTAM FDC 6/2233 and TFR details: https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_6_2233

• El Paso Matters coverage (unexplained closure and southern NM impact): https://elpasomatters.org/2026/02/11/unexplained-faa-order-shuts-down-el-paso-southern-new-mexico-airspace-for-10-days

• Economic context and passenger data: Economic Times and Travel And Tour World reports (February 2026 coverage)

• Regional airport role and southern NM ties: Border Report and local economic analyses (cross-referenced for Las Cruces/Alamogordo impacts)

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