El Paso Flights Resume After FAA Shutdown as Cause Is Disputed

Overview

• FAA briefly restricted flights within roughly 18 kilometers and up to 18,000 feet around El Paso and Santa Teresa before lifting the NOTAM hours later.
• Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said cartel-operated drones were intercepted and the threat was neutralized, with agencies stating there is no risk to commercial aviation.
• Multiple reports citing anonymous officials said Army testing of a laser-based counter‑drone system at Fort Bliss likely prompted safety concerns for nearby civil air traffic.
• Rep. Veronica Escobar and Mayor Renard Johnson said they received little or no notice, disputed the federal narrative, and pressed for transparency and better coordination.
• The shutdown canceled airline operations and diverted some medical evacuation flights, and the White House sought an explanation before the restriction was rescinded.