A security-driven airspace closure over a major U.S. city for this duration has not been seen since the days following the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.
By World Israel News Staff
The Federal Aviation Administration has imposed a temporary flight restriction over El Paso, Texas, halting air traffic to and from the city and nearby Santa Teresa, New Mexico, local officials confirmed.
City authorities said El Paso International Airport has been closed to all incoming and outgoing flights.
The restriction, in effect from February 10 through February 20, classifies the affected area as “NTL DEFENSE AIRSPACE,” under federal authority.
The official Notice to Air Missions lists the reason for the NOTAM as “Temporary flight restrictions for Special Security Reasons.”
It prohibits all aircraft operations within a 10-nautical-mile radius of El Paso, from the surface up to 17,999 feet above mean sea level, excluding Mexican airspace.
The notice states that pilots who fail to comply may be intercepted and face administrative or criminal penalties.
It also includes language noting that the U.S. government may use deadly force against an aircraft if it is determined to pose an imminent security threat.
A source familiar with the matter, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said a security-driven closure of airspace over a major U.S. city for this length of time has not been seen since the days following the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.
Neither the White House nor the U.S. Department of Defense has provided a public explanation for the move, and no additional details have been released regarding the specific security concerns behind the restriction.
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