El Paso airspace shutdown highlights Trump’s new war on cartel drone threats.

Ujjwal Sukhwani
By Ujjwal SukhwaniPublished Feb 16, 2026 at 07:21 AM UTC, 2 min read

Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience.

El Paso airspace shutdown highlights Trump’s new war on cartel drone threats.

El Paso International Airport faced a total ground stop after a cartel drone incursion; the event highlights new federal counter-UAS enforcement efforts.

Key Takeaways

  • El Paso International Airport halted all flights due to a cartel drone incursion.
  • The Trump administration is deploying military-grade radar systems to the southern border.
  • The Drone Dominance Program aims to rapidly acquire counter-UAS technology from 25 vendors.
  • Federal officials are balancing aggressive drone mitigation with the safety of commercial aviation.

Air traffic stopped in El Paso.

A cartel drone caused the delay.

The FAA issued a strict NOTAM.

This happened on February 10.

Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the threat.

He said the threat was neutralized.

Commercial travel is now safe again.

The shutdown lasted eight hours.

It affected many local flights.

Officials cite growing border tensions.

The Trump administration faces new tests.

Drone incursions happen very often now.

Experts estimate 60,000 incidents per year.

Most went ignored for a long time.

Now, the White House is acting.

New Federal Response

President Trump signed a major order.

It is called Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty.

This order protects our domestic skies.

It targets illegal drone use by cartels.

These drones carry dangerous drugs like fentanyl.

They also spy on law enforcement teams.

The order increases counter-UAS capabilities quickly.

Military units are now at the border.

They help the U.S. Department of Transportation and agents.

Advanced Radar Systems

The 10th Mountain Division is active.

They use the AN/TPQ-53 radar system.

This tech tracks rockets and mortars.

They also use the Sentinel radar.

It finds low-flying drone threats easily.

These tools were once for warzones only.

Now they protect the home front.

The goal is total airspace control.

Operational Challenges

Taking down drones is very hard.

Civilian airspace has many safety rules.

Collateral damage is a major risk.

Mark Ditlevson testified about these issues.

He spoke to the Oversight Committee.

Middle East tactics do not work here.

The FAA must be very careful.

Safety for passenger jets comes first.

The Drone Dominance Program

Secretary Pete Hegseth leads a program.

It is the Drone Dominance Program (DDP).

The Pentagon wants low-cost attack drones.

They also want better counter-drone tech.

Twenty-five vendors are now competing.

They must find fast, innovative solutions.

The El Paso event shows the need.

El Paso International Airport remains alert.

The drone menace is finally being met.

  • Cartel drones pose a serious risk.
  • New military radars guard the border.
  • Airspace safety remains the top priority.
  • The DDP will boost counter-UAS tech.

flying.flights provides comprehensive commercial aviation news covering airlines, aircraft, and airports. Track policy changes, airspace rules, and global aviation governance in the Regulatory category at flying.flights/regulatory.

Ujjwal Sukhwani

Written by Ujjwal Sukhwani

Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience. Covers flight operations, safety regulations, and market trends with expert analysis.

Visit Profile

You Might Also Like

Discover more aviation news based on similar topics

FAA Mandates Replacement of Certain Safran PBEs Due to Failure Risk
safety
Feb 25, 2026 at 07:26 PM UTC4 min read

FAA Mandates Replacement of Certain Safran PBEs Due to Failure Risk

The FAA has issued an airworthiness directive mandating the replacement of certain Safran PBEs due to a manufacturing flaw that can block oxygen flow.

GCAA Suspends Two Controllers After Loss of Separation Incident in Guyana
safety
Feb 25, 2026 at 07:26 PM UTC4 min read

GCAA Suspends Two Controllers After Loss of Separation Incident in Guyana

Guyana's GCAA has suspended two air traffic controllers after a United and Turpial Airlines flight came within five miles, half the required separation.

American Airlines 737 MAX Shows Bullet Holes After Colombia Flight
safety
Feb 25, 2026 at 07:26 PM UTC4 min read

American Airlines 737 MAX Shows Bullet Holes After Colombia Flight

Colombian authorities are investigating an American Airlines 737 MAX after bullet holes were found post-flight in Miami, likely from its landing in Medellín.

Air India Sees Technical Incidents Spike Fourfold in January
safety
Feb 25, 2026 at 07:26 PM UTC4 min read

Air India Sees Technical Incidents Spike Fourfold in January

Air India recorded a fourfold rise in technical incidents to 1.09 per 1,000 flights in January, prompting intensified regulatory scrutiny and new inspections.

AOG Technics Founder Jailed for Global Fake Aircraft Parts Fraud
safety
Feb 25, 2026 at 07:10 AM UTC4 min read

AOG Technics Founder Jailed for Global Fake Aircraft Parts Fraud

AOG Technics founder Jose Yrala was jailed for selling 60,000 fake jet-engine parts, causing nearly £40 million in damages to the global airline industry.

Airlines Resume Puerto Vallarta Flights as Jalisco Security Stabilizes
safety
Feb 25, 2026 at 03:19 AM UTC4 min read

Airlines Resume Puerto Vallarta Flights as Jalisco Security Stabilizes

Mexican authorities report Jalisco security has stabilized, allowing airlines to resume flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara after cartel violence.