El Paso Airport Closed for 10 days?

[sam_gordon]

This could get posted in the transportation board and possibly the controversial topics board, but what the actual ...

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-new...alted-10-days-security-reasons-faa-rcna258497

All flights to and from El Paso International Airport in Texas have been halted for “special security reasons,” the Federal Aviation Administration said early Wednesday.

There's another area just the west that is also closed for the same time frame...


"Special Security Reasons" is the only description given.

 

[Marrila]

"Special security reasons" is absolutely not enough of an explanation.

 

[sam_gordon]

Here is the NOTAM (NOtice To AirMen):

 

[princesscinderella]

 

[Kennywood]

 

[Kennywood]

Perhaps it's time....

 

[princesscinderella]

Is it possible that it’s due to upgrades to the air traffic control system at the airport? Would it require that amount of time?

 

[sam_gordon]

Is it possible that it’s due to upgrades to the air traffic control system at the airport? Would it require that amount of time?

That's an idea, but I would think there would/should be more notification, and would that qualify as "National Defense" or "Security"? And if that's the case, does that mean EVERY towered airport has to be shut down for days for the upgrade?

 

[Marrila]

Apparently they have suddenly changed their minds.
The closure has been lifted per the FAA. All flights will resume.

 

[kdonnel]

I saw rumors that there was likely some sort of war game type activity at Biggs Army airfield and with the recent failures in air traffic control those in charge thought they could not guarantee the safety of the El Paso airport right next door.

 

[princesscinderella]

Apparently they have suddenly changed their minds.
The closure has been lifted per the FAA. All flights will resume.

 

[princesscinderella]

Totally bizarre explanation!!!

“FAA says El Paso airspace reopens after previously announcing 10-day closure "for special security reasons"


The Federal Aviation Administration announced Wednesday morning that it has lifted the closure of El Paso's airspace just hours after it said it was halting all flights in and out of the airport for 10 days for what it called "special security reasons."


Administration officials told CBS News that the closure was triggered by Mexican cartel drones breaching U.S. airspace. The officials said the Department of Defense took action to disable the drones, and that the FAA and defense officials have determined there is no current threat to commercial travel.”

https://apple.news/ANZZDVaK-Q7-B9-mzmYrt7w

 

[_19disnA]

Explanation sounds more like a cover story. How would we know some Mexican drones will be flying around for the next 10 days? I suspect the 'official' explanation will keep evolving..............LOL.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Explanation sounds more like a cover story. How would we know some Mexican drones will be flying around for the next 10 days? I suspect the 'official' explanation will keep evolving..............LOL.

No, it sounds like they didn't know if they could neutralize the drones quickly or not, so they gave themselves the max amount of time the military (or more likely the military's hackers, since we didn't hear any shooting down of drones nor drones falling out of the sky by an EMP pulse or something, so it's likely our military just took control of their drones) told them it would take...

 

[BrianL]

Explanation sounds more like a cover story. How would we know some Mexican drones will be flying around for the next 10 days? I suspect the 'official' explanation will keep evolving..............LOL.

The story sounds hinky for sure. I am betting more will come out about it.

 

[Dan Murphy]

The story sounds hinky for sure. I am betting more will come out about it.

 

[hardcorestitch]

"Special security reasons" is absolutely not enough of an explanation.

More like political reasons.

 

[Boski]

I was(still am) going there on Friday. I found out early this morning on the news as my airline didn't even notify me. I ended up rebooking to Albuquerque and had a rental car reserved only for them to reopen the airport. I was able to get back my original flight but needless to say it was a wild morning.