FAA briefly shut down El Paso airspace on Feb. 12, 2026, then reversed course hours later after raising safety questions about a military laser-based counter-drone system. The initial 10-day restriction stranded travelers, forced at least one medical flight to divert, and prompted sharp criticism from local officials and lawmakers who called for immediate answers.
What happened
The Pentagon had authorized U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to operate a directed-energy system near Fort Bliss and a civil flight path. According to multiple sources, that authorization moved forward without a completed multi-agency safety review or advance notification to the FAA. With uncertainty about how the laser might affect aircraft sensors and avionics, the FAA moved to restrict airspace while it gathered more information — then rescinded the restriction roughly eight hours later after reassessing the threat.
Who’s pointing fingers
Officials inside the agencies disagree about who should have coordinated the approval and informed civilian regulators. Pentagon and CBP officials maintain the operational need and legal authority for the deployment; FAA officials say they were not consulted about mitigation measures or affected instrument procedures. That breakdown in communication left airlines, private pilots and emergency services suddenly subject to broad restrictions.
Local impact
Airport leaders in El Paso said they received little or no warning. Travelers faced cancellations and reroutes; airport operations were disrupted at a facility that handles about four million passengers a year. Local elected officials — including Mayor Renard Johnson and Representative Veronica Escobar — called the move disruptive and potentially dangerous, especially given the effect on medevac and hospital flights. Businesses and tourism stakeholders reported short-term revenue and logistical losses.
Lawmakers demand answers
Senators from both parties quickly sought briefings and documentation from the FAA, the Pentagon and other agencies. Democrats such as Maria Cantwell and Tammy Duckworth and Republicans including Ted Cruz demanded clearer explanations and pledged to press for records and classified briefings to understand who authorized the restriction and why. Congressional staff signaled possible hearings to examine notification timelines and interagency coordination.
Technical and safety concerns
Engineers and aviation safety experts focus on the risk that directed-energy systems could interfere with aircraft navigation, targeting, or sensor systems if beams are misaligned or reflected. Pilots and airlines have urged formal, documented safety margins and real-time notification protocols before any live counter-drone employment near civilian routes. Regulators and advocates are calling for expedited technical reviews to determine safe deployment parameters and necessary safeguards.
Longer-term questions
This episode revived broader worries about gaps in coordination between the military and civilian aviation authorities. Investigations after last year’s midair collision found lapses in safety-critical information-sharing between the Army and the FAA, and critics say the El Paso incident exposes similar vulnerabilities as counter-drone capabilities expand along the southern border.
What’s next
Federal officials have pledged follow-up reviews to clarify safety criteria, communication procedures and whether formal joint assessments are required. Possible policy responses on the table include mandatory multi-agency safety reviews before deployment, updated notification timelines for nearby airports and automatic alerts to local authorities, hospitals and airport operators when airspace restrictions are contemplated.
A single, restrained metaphor captures the problem: precision matters. In an environment where minutes count and lives may be on the line, agencies need predictable processes, clear chains of responsibility and timely information-sharing. Lawmakers, local leaders and regulators now face the work of turning that expectation into binding protocols so future counter-drone operations don’t cause the same chaos.