(Feb 11): The US Federal Aviation Administration closed the airspace around the border city of El Paso, Texas, for 10 days, citing “special security reasons”.
All flights into and out of the city are suspended, the FAA said without elaborating on the reasons.
Flights from El Paso International Airport were halted starting Feb 10 at 11.30pm local time (Feb 11 at 2.30pm Singapore) and will stay suspended until the same time on Feb 20, the airport operator said in a travel advisory posted on its official Facebook and Instagram accounts.
The temporary restrictions cover 10 nautical miles around the city and apply to an altitude of as much as 17,999 feet, according to the FAA notice to airmen — a type of advisory warning of hazards and operational situations.
“No pilots may operate an aircraft in the areas covered by this NOTAM,” the FAA notice said.
The White House and FAA didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment outside of normal business hours.
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