The Federal Aviation Administration abruptly closed airspace around El Paso International Airport Tuesday night, citing a drone threat from cartels. The 10-day restriction, which extended 10 nautical miles from the airport, was lifted less than 10 hours later after Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy confirmed the threat had been neutralized.

Local officials and travelers received no advance notice of the closure, which disrupted operations at an airport serving more than 3 million passengers monthly. The FAA initially offered no explanation beyond classifying the area as "national defense airspace" and warning that violators could face deadly force. The sudden closure and equally abrupt reopening raised serious questions about coordination among federal agencies.

El Paso, the 22nd most populous US city, sits along the US-Mexico border across from Ciudad Juárez. The incident highlights growing concerns about cartel-operated drones near sensitive areas and the challenges of responding to such threats without causing widespread disruption. The FAA's handling of the situation drew criticism for its lack of communication with local authorities and affected travelers.