Feb 11 • 15:30 UTC 🇲🇽 Mexico El Financiero (ES)

US closed the airspace of El Paso, Texas, due to drones from Mexican cartels: 'Threat was neutralized'

The US Federal Aviation Administration reopened the airspace over El Paso, Texas, after a brief shutdown due to drone incursions linked to Mexican cartels, assuring that the threat had been neutralized and commercial flights could resume safely.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the reopening of airspace around El Paso International Airport on Wednesday morning, following a temporary closure that was set to last for ten days. The FAA stated on social media that there was no longer any threat to commercial aviation, and all flights would resume as usual. This quick decision aimed to alleviate concerns and restore normalcy for travelers in the region.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that both the FAA and the Department of Defense responded swiftly to a drone incursion attributed to Mexican drug cartels. He emphasized that the threat posed by these drones had been neutralized, ensuring that there was no danger for commercial travel in the area. The exact number of drones involved in the incident and the specific measures taken to disable them were not disclosed, leading to concerns about future security and enforcement of airspace integrity.

The airspace closure created significant disruption in El Paso, Texas, affecting travel plans for numerous passengers and airline operations. While the FAA's prompt action alleviated immediate threats, it raises ongoing questions about air travel safety in border areas where drug cartel activities may extend into aviation concerns. As authorities continue to address these security issues, the focus will be on preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future, enhancing surveillance and law enforcement measures regarding airspace violations linked to organized crime.

📡 Similar Coverage