Airspace Shutdown Sparks Tensions Over Drone Tests and Balloon Incident
Airspace over El Paso, Texas, was abruptly closed due to escalating tensions between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Pentagon officials concerning drone testing protocols, according to multiple insiders.
Military planners had been preparing to utilize advanced technology near Fort Bliss, adjacent to El Paso International Airport, specifically for drone interception exercises. The technology in question? A high-energy laser system.
While discussions were underway regarding safety implications, Pentagon representatives pushed for immediate testing, asserting compliance with U.S. Code 130i, which mandates protective measures against unmanned aircraft.
On Tuesday night, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford made the unilateral decision to close the airspace, bypassing notifications to the White House, Pentagon, or Homeland Security, sources revealed.
Bedford indicated that these restrictions were necessary for safety until the War Department's concerns could be addressed.
The FAA has refrained from commenting on the situation. However, a critical notice was disseminated to pilots and airlines, prohibiting flights below 18,000 feet—a measure not seen since the post-9/11 era. The warning included a stark message: violators risked being shot down.
Earlier this week, Customs and Border Protection deployed the laser weapon following military training. Sources familiar with the operation noted that the FAA had been informed of a ten-day window for the technology's use.
This anti-drone initiative was launched along the southern border to target suspected foreign drones. However, one incident involved shooting down what turned out to be a party balloon, as confirmed by several sources.
Mexican cartels have increasingly utilized drones along the border, though it remains uncertain how many were neutralized by military anti-UAS technology during this period. One official reported at least one cartel drone was successfully disabled.
The grounding of all flights—including emergency medical evacuations—triggered a frantic response from law enforcement agencies on Wednesday morning as they sought clarity on the security alert issued in the NOTAM.
This issue was addressed in a routine meeting at White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles' office, leading to the FAA lifting restrictions shortly thereafter.
Sources indicated that Pentagon and Department of Transportation officials had been collaborating on military drone tests for months, assuring the FAA that commercial air travel was not at risk.
Airline representatives were informed that the airspace closure was a precautionary measure due to unpredictable drone activity from U.S. government operations. Drones had been operating outside their established flight paths, contributing to confusion among airlines regarding the FAA's communication with the Pentagon.
Uncertainty looms over potential repercussions for those involved in the miscommunication surrounding the airspace closure.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated, "The FAA and DOW acted swiftly to address a cartel drone incursion. The threat has been neutralized, and there is no danger to commercial travel in the region. The restrictions have been lifted and normal flights are resuming."
The Pentagon declined to provide further details when asked about the number of drones targeted or actions taken during this incident.
This heightened vigilance from the FAA follows a mid-air collision incident last year involving a U.S. Army helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet over Washington, D.C.
