Pilot caught off guard by El Paso airspace closure announcement

Mayor Renard Johnson of El Paso has expressed disapproval of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) decision to impose and then lift a temporary flight restriction over the city, calling it an "unnecessary decision" that caused "chaos and confusion."

Johnson emphasized that such actions should not occur without proper coordination with local authorities, including the city, airport, hospitals, and community leadership.

"That failure to communicate is unacceptable," he said.

The restriction led to significant disruptions, including the diversion of medical evacuation flights to Las Cruces and the grounding of all aviation operations, including emergency flights.

Johnson noted, "This was a major and unnecessary disruption. One that has not occurred since 9/11."

Johnson said El Paso, the sixth-largest city in Texas and the 22nd largest in the United States, relies heavily on coordinated airspace operations for its hospitals, military, and emergency services.

Johnson warned that decisions made without notice or coordination "put lives at risk and create unnecessary danger and confusion."

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the airspace closure was due to a cartel drone breach.

Duffy said the FAA and the Department of War acted swiftly to address the cartel drone incursion.

Local leaders said they have not received any information from federal officials that the incident was caused by a drone breach.

The mayor acknowledged the efforts of Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, Major General Taylor at Fort Bliss, and local, state, and federal partners in resolving the issue. He also thanked community leaders for their professionalism and dedication to public safety.

Johnson vowed to follow up with the FAA to prevent a recurrence, stating, "El Paso deserves better communication and better coordination and more respect for the El Paso and the people that live in this community." He reassured residents that El Paso remains one of the safest cities in the United States.

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