FAA Grounds All Flights To/From El Paso Until Feb 20 – What’s Happening & How It Affects Travel

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed a complete ground stop at El Paso International Airport (ELP), halting all arrivals and departures until February 20, 2026. The order, effective immediately, is one of the most significant airport closures in recent U.S. history and affects thousands of travelers daily.Why Are Flights Grounded?The FAA cited “national security concerns” related to temporary airspace restrictions in the El Paso sector. Sources indicate the closure is tied to heightened military activity, border security operations, or a classified incident near Fort Bliss / White Sands Missile Range. The FAA has not released detailed public reasoning, stating only that the restriction is “necessary for safety of flight.”The ground stop includes:No commercial passenger flights (American, Southwest, United, Delta, Alaska, etc.) No cargo operations No general aviation or private flights No diversions to ELP Nearby airports (e.g., Las Cruces International, Midland/Odessa) are absorbing some rerouted traffic, but capacity is limited.Affected Airlines & Passenger ImpactMajor carriers with heavy ELP service:American Airlines — hub operations severely disrupted Southwest Airlines — largest carrier at ELP; hundreds of flights canceled United Airlines — multiple daily routes canceled Delta, Alaska, Frontier — regional routes paused Passenger rights & rebooking:Airlines are required to rebook passengers on the next available flight (may be days later due to the length of the closure). Full refunds offered for canceled flights (no change/cancel fees). Hotel and meal vouchers provided for overnight disruptions. Check airline apps/websites or call customer service immediately. Alternatives for TravelersDrive to nearby airports — El Paso to Las Cruces (1 hr), Midland/Odessa (4 hrs), or Albuquerque (4.5 hrs). Amtrak/Sun Metro — limited regional bus/train options. Reroute via Dallas, Phoenix, or Denver — most major carriers are rebooking through hubs. The FAA has not indicated when or if partial operations might resume before Feb 20. Travelers with flights booked to/from ELP through mid-February should contact their airline immediately and monitor FAA NOTAMs.At digital8hub.com, we track flight disruptions, airport closures, travel alerts, FAA notices, and more. For real-time updates, rebooking tips, or alternative travel routes during the ELP ground stop, check our travel and news sections.El Paso airport is completely shut down until Feb 20 — plan accordingly and stay safe.