![\"FAA](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-128203673,imgsize-833916,width-400,resizemode-4\/image-2026-02-11t163753751.jpg\" "\\"Photo")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nThe US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a temporary flight restriction on Wednesday halting all flights to and from El Paso International Airport in Texas and parts of southern New Mexico for 10 days, citing \u201cspecial security reasons\u201d.The restriction, which came into effect February 11 at 0630 UTC, will remain in place until the same time on February 21, covering the airspace over El Paso and the neighbouring community of Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The temporary restrictions extend across a 10-nautical-mile radius around the city and up to an altitude of 17,999 feet, according to a notice to airmen (NOTAM) issued by the FAA. \u201cNo pilots may operate an aircraft in the areas covered by this NOTAM,\u201d the official notice<\/a> said.The airport operator said in a travel advisory posted on its official Facebook and Instagram accounts that all commercial, cargo and general aviation flights had been grounded and advised travellers to contact their airlines for updates. An airport operator who answered the phone early Wednesday also confirmed that all flights had been halted because of an FAA order, according to The New York Times.The airport said the restriction had been issued \u201con short notice\u201d and that it was awaiting further guidance from the FAA, according to a statement cited by CNN affiliate KFOX. In a notice, the FAA said the federal government \u201cmay use deadly force\u201d if an aircraft violating the airspace is determined to pose \u201can imminent security threat\u201d, The New York Times reported.Representative Joaquin Castro, a Democrat who represents San Antonio, said he had no clear information about the situation. \u201cSorry, I don\u2019t have some clear answer,\u201d Mr Castro said early Wednesday. When asked if the move was surprising, he replied, \u201cYes.\u201d Texas State Representative Vincent Perez of El Paso said he had no information about the restriction and added, \u201cI have never heard of an American airspace being shutdown for 10 days, absent a major emergency,\u201d according to The New York Times.El Paso International Airport serves a large area of West Texas and eastern New Mexico, The New York Times noted.This is a developing story.<\/div>\n\n