According to many CNN sources, the Pentagon's plan to usage a high-energy laser against drones, without consulting the national Aviation Administration (FAA) with possible threats to civilian flights, led on Wednesday to unprecedented airspace closure over El Paso, Texas. Two people who knew the case later reported on Wednesday that it was Customs and Border Protection, not the American Army, who controlled laser technology erstwhile it was utilized this week around El Paso to shoot down balloons.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has late approved the release of CBP technology, reported 1 of the sources. Sources reported that the Department of defence directed the improvement of this technology, but this week it was physically operated by CBP. Another origin acquainted with the case reported that the Department of defence personnel were present erstwhile utilizing the device. CNN requested comment on the Department of defence and Homeland Security.
The CNN origin earlier stated Wednesday that the US Army had utilized laser technology to shoot down 4 mylar balloons this week, which contributed to the FAA's decision to close the local airspace.
These reports came to light erstwhile the Trump administration claimed that the drone of the Mexican cartel that crossed US airspace was the origin of a 10-mile regulation at El Paso global Airport.
On Tuesday late evening, the FAA unexpectedly issued temporary flight restrictions, resulting in all flights up to 18,000 feet above the city being immediately grounded for 10 days, which in practice meant the closure of El Paso global Airport.
About 8 hours later, the regulation was lifted. By the time the FAA lifted its operating restrictions, airlines had already released travel permits and informed customers of possible changes.
Numerous sources from the national government and American airlines reported to CNN that military activity close El Paso, including US cartel monitoring drones and the Pentagon's planned usage of a high-energy laser designed to combat drones, raised immediate concerns about civilian traffic arriving and departing from El Paso global Airport. Fort Bliss and his airport, Biggs Army Airfield, are located north of the commercial airport, which serves about 100 flights a day.
FAA and Pentagon representatives were expected to meet on February 20 to discuss possible effects and remedies as part of a laser strategy test – a technology that the Pentagon is investigating in the far-off regions of the country – reported many sources. However, the Department of Defence sought to earlier launch the strategy in the El Paso area, which prompted the FAA to introduce a temporary limitation of flights until conditions were agreed. The ten-day regulation was to expire on February 21, the day after the planned gathering of the Department of defence and the FAA.
The FAA's decision to close airspace was made without prior notification to the White House, as reported by people acquainted with the case. The case became a subject of intense attention in the West Wing early on Wednesday morning erstwhile Texas legislators demanded answers to the question why airspace was abruptly closed without prior notice.
An administration authoritative reported on Wednesday morning that the closure was due to the ‘defence department's actions aimed at disposing’ of cartel drones. It is unclear whether the presence of drones may have contributed to accelerating the deployment of the laser system.
CNN asked the FAA and the White home to comment on divergent explanations. The Pentagon continued to invoke on Wednesday a message by an administrative authoritative that the origin of airspace closure was a drone safety breach.
Transport secretary Sean Duffy posted on social media an entry in which he commended the FAA and the Department of defence for "rapid action in consequence to a cartel drone invasion".
The invasions along the confederate border are highly frequent and historically do not origin airspace closure. For example, in 2024, Air Force General Greg Guillot, commander of NORTHCOM, informed the legislature Armed Forces Commission that the number of invasions into the US border with Mexico was “over a thousand” a month.
The Drug Combat Agency (DEA) and another U.S. safety agencies have been utilizing facilities at Biggs Army Airfield Airport for years, monitoring the activities of Mexican drug cartels," said incumbent and erstwhile U.S. officials.
El Paso, with nearly 700,000 inhabitants, is the sixth largest city in Texas and 1 of the 25 largest in the United States. It is simply a cross-border trade center, next to the neighboring Ciudad Juárez in Mexico.
According to the airport's website, nearly 3.5 million passengers were flown through El Paso global Airport during the first 11 months of 2025. The airport is referred to as a gateway to western Texas, confederate fresh Mexico and northern Mexico.
The U.S. Army has tested laser anti-aircraft defence systems against drones in fresh months. Last summertime the army carried out exercises with energy-controlled weapons, alongside more conventional anti-aircraft defence systems, in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Last fall, the army turned to manufacture requesting ideas on the E-HEL (Enduring-High Energy Laser) anti-drone system.
Confusion around flight restrictions
The first FAA flight restrictions classified the area around El Paso as ‘National Defence Airspaces’ and stated that pilots who breach those restrictions could be intercepted, detained and interrogated by law enforcement authorities.
Audio recording from LiveATC.net recorded erstwhile the pilots learned about the plane's grounding. “Just tell everyone else. For the next 10 days at 6:30 we will all be there," said the controller. The pilot replied, “OK, halt on the ground at 06:30, for how long?” “Ten days”, the controller replied. “So the airport is completely closed?” said the pilot, giggling.
The controller replied, “We seemingly received information about 30 minutes ago.” "So for 10 days you will not be open," said the pilot with disbelief. “Well, we will be here, but there will be no air traffic,” said the controller. “OK”, said the pilot with a laugh.
Samuel, a traveler from El Paso, told in an interview with KFOX, a CNN affiliate that he was taking part in a tour promoting his book with a client and did not receive any notification from the airlines.
Democratic congresswoman Veronica Escobar of Texas told reporters on Wednesday that the closure of El Paso global Airport was solely a FAA decision and that local officials — including members of legislature — had no thought of this before it happened.
She stressed that she had not been notified in advance, despite representing the congressional territory where the airport is located, Fort Bliss and the wider community of El Paso.
“The city manager El Paso and the mayor were not notified either,” Escobar said during a press conference on Wednesday morning. "Everyone on the scene was unconscious, and the effects, as you can see, are very serious".
