Drones from ‘Mexican cartel’ forced El Paso airport shutdown, says Trump administration

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Wednesday reopened airspace around El Paso International Airport in Texas after a sudden suspension of flights, which it blamed on a drone incursion by a “Mexican cartel”. Flights to and from the airport which lies close to the US-Mexico border had been abruptly halted earlier in the day surprising airlines and passengers alike, Reuters reported. Officials initially cautioned that the disruption could last up to 10 days which an extraordinary step for a single commercial airport. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the FAA, in coordination with the Pentagon, temporarily shut down the airspace to address a potential security threat posed by a cartel-operated drone. “The threat has been neutralised and there is no danger to commercial travel in the region,” Duffy said in a social media post, announcing the resumption of flights. Airline sources indicated that the shutdown stemmed from coordination challenges between the FAA and the Pentagon as authorities evaluated whether counter-drone measures being deployed could themselves pose risks to civilian aircraft. The FAA has not detailed how those safety concerns were resolved so quickly. The brief closure stranded several aircraft operated by Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and American Airlines at El Paso International Airport, which serves around 4 million passengers each year. The flight restrictions also extended to parts of rural airspace in neighboring New Mexico. Airlines said they were caught off guard by the early-morning announcement. Southwest Airlines noted that the impact on its operations would likely be minimal, affecting 23 scheduled departures for the day. The decision drew political criticism, with Democratic Representative Joaquin Castro of Texas warning on social media that what he called a “rash decision” could undermine public confidence in aviation safety, according to the Reuters report. The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More