El Paso Airport Closed for 10 Days Due to Security TFR

Airport Closure Announcement

• ✈️ El Paso Airport is implementing a ground stop for all air traffic due to a security alert.
• 📅 The closure is effective from 06:30 Zulu and will last for 10 days, until the 21st at 06:30 Zulu.
• 🚨 This TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) affects all air traffic within a 10-mile radius of the El Paso area up to flight level 180.

Impact on Operations

• 🛑 All ground stops are in effect, meaning no flights will be departing or arriving during the 10-day period.
• 🏨 Pilots and airline personnel are being informed to seek hotel accommodations as they will be unable to fly out.
• 📦 Even essential services like medevac flights are not permitted to enter or depart the airport during this time.

Communication and Awareness

• 📢 Information about the TFR was disseminated to airlines and pilots approximately 30 minutes to an hour before the announcement.
• 🗣️ Controllers are actively informing pilots about the impending TFR and advising them to pass the information to their companies.
• ❓ Pilots are seeking confirmation on the activation times and duration of the TFR, with the current information indicating a full 10-day closure.

Pilot Departures Before TFR

• ⏳ Some aircraft are attempting to depart before the TFR takes effect at 06:30 Zulu.
• ⏱️ Controllers are urging these aircraft to depart quickly, within the next 5 minutes, to avoid being grounded for the duration of the TFR.
• ✅ Aircraft that do not depart before the deadline will be stuck on the ground until the TFR is lifted.