"Catch up quick: The FAA established the temporary flight restriction, or TFR, at 6:30 UTC, or 11:30pm Tuesday in El Paso. It was scheduled to last until Feb. 21 at the same time (6:30 UTC). The FAA's website still lists a TFR over nearby Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The agency did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment Wednesday morning."
"Threat level: The highly unusual closure came with limited explanation from federal authorities and no additional details provided to local and state officials, prompting confusion and speculation. "The highly consequential decision by FAA to shut down the El Paso Airport for 10 days is unprecedented and has resulted in significant concern within the community," Rep. Veronica Escobar, a Democrat who represents El Paso, said on X ahead of the reopening."
FAA temporarily established a flight restriction over El Paso for special security reasons and lifted it several hours later, stating there was no threat to commercial aviation and that flights would resume as normal. FAA concern centered on military activity near the border that could threaten civilian flights, and the Pentagon responded to drone activity linked to Mexican cartels. The TFR began at 6:30 UTC (11:30pm Tuesday) and was scheduled through Feb. 21; the FAA website still lists a TFR over Santa Teresa, New Mexico. Local officials and the airport received no advance notice, prompting confusion; El Paso International saw nearly 3.5 million passengers January–November.
Read at Axios
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