The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has abruptly closed the airspace over El Paso, Texas, for 10 days, citing 'special security reasons.' This decision, which took effect on February 10, 2026, at 11:30 p.m. local time, has led to the suspension of all flights to and from El Paso International Airport, affecting a city of approximately 700,000 people. According to CBS Mornings, the closure was initially linked to a high-energy laser system test aimed at shooting down drones, a move that reportedly caused disagreements between the FAA and the Pentagon. The closure, described as 'almost unheard of for a major US city' by a YouTube source, also extends to the Santa Teresa area in New Mexico, as reported by Bloomberg Television. The FAA's decision has sparked confusion and frustration among local officials and lawmakers, who were not informed in advance, leading to calls for a classified briefing to understand the underlying reasons, as noted by CBS Mornings.