US officials abruptly close airspace in El Paso, Texas, for 10 days in unusual move

"US authorities have abruptly closed the airspace around El Paso international airport in Texas for 10 days for special security reasons, shutting off the skies for all aircraft in an area along the border with Mexico. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) posted the temporary flight restriction notice on its website late on Tuesday, stating that a 10-nautical-mile circle up to 18,000ft would be off limits for all commercial, cargo and general aviation flights."

"An air traffic controller can be heard asking the arriving Southwest flight if they plan to depart again. Nah, we'll go to the hotel, the pilot can be heard saying. Roger, replied the controller. Just be advised there is a [temporary flight restriction] going into effect at 0630 for the next 10 days. So the airport is totally closed? the pilot asks with a chuckle, to which the controller responds: Apparently, we just got informed about 30 minutes to an hour ago."

"Temporary flight restrictions are issued for natural disasters, such as wildfires and hurricanes, as well as major sporting events and emergency or national security situations. The airport said on its Facebook page that all flights to and from the airport would be grounded and travellers should contact their airlines to get the most up-to-date flight status information. An airspace closure will have a significant impact on the city of nearly 700,000 people, which neighbours the city of Ciudad Juarez in Mexico."

The Federal Aviation Administration imposed a temporary flight restriction that closes airspace around El Paso International Airport for 10 days, creating a 10-nautical-mile circle up to 18,000 ft where commercial, cargo and general aviation flights are prohibited. The order bars any pilots from operating in the covered area and will remain in place until 20 February. The FAA provided about three hours' notice before the restriction took effect and offered no public explanation. Radio communications captured pilots and controllers reacting in surprise. The airport advised passengers to contact airlines, and the closure will significantly affect the city of nearly 700,000 people adjacent to Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.

Read at www.theguardian.com