Federal officials offered a variety of differing accounts to explain Wednesday morning’s abrupt closure of airspace over El Paso, Texas. The Federal Aviation Administration lifted those same restrictions only hours after initially ordering a 10-day shutdown around El Paso International Airport.
Officials, including Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, said the move followed a “cartel drone” incursion, while others said it was related to counter-drone testing at nearby Fort Bliss.
CBS reported that multiple sources said a suspected drone target that was shot down using a high-energy laser was later identified as a party balloon. According to CBS’ report, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford closed the airspace on Tuesday night without notifying the White House, Pentagon, or Homeland Security officials.
The FAA had originally cited unspecified “special security reasons” when issuing the temporary flight restrictions late Tuesday.
According to reporting by The New York Times, people briefed on the matter said the shutdown was prompted by the Defense Department’s use of new anti-drone technology and concerns about potential risks to other aircraft.
Local officials said the sudden closure created disruptions, including diverted medical flights and confusion among travelers and airlines. El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson said the city had not been notified in advance of the restrictions.
“This unnecessary decision has caused chaos and confusion in the El Paso community,” Johnson said at a news conference.
Officials also continued to assess drone activity along the U.S.-Mexico border, where federal authorities have reported increased surveillance and smuggling operations involving unmanned aircraft, while Mexican officials said they had no information indicating drone activity at the border, according to BBC and New York Times reporting.
And yet, another chicken little sky is falling response by the DOT chief dummy. This is especially bad if it was one drone, but ultimately and thoroughly ridiculous if it was not only one but a party balloon.
Definitely a far cry from an Air Force of drones smuggling drugs across the border, and while I am sure this does exist and needs a solution, I don’t think the cartels are stupid enough to fly them anywhere near an airport or other heavily populated area.
This article is whining, and so is the first commenter..If it had been a loss of life or air crash they’d complain about the USG’s slow response or lack of reaction to clues – think (DCA vs US Army). Inconveniences are part of air travel. As for the cartel, unless you’re a “pharmaceutical” delivery specialist for the cartel yourself, you probably don’t know what you’re talking about.
Missing the point. It’s not about the FAA’s reaction, it’s the utter ineptitude between DoD, DHS and lack of coordination. How well would they do in a real situation?
Boomer is exactly right! However, 10 days and lack of coordination is the real problem.