“Federal Aviation Administration officials are said to have raised concerns that the agency needed more time and information to assess the technology’s risk to commercial aircraft.”

Military’s Use of Anti-Drone Technology Said to Cause El Paso Airspace Closure

“Multiple people briefed on the situation said the abrupt airspace closure was prompted by Customs and Border Protection officials deploying an anti-drone laser in the area without giving aviation officials enough time to assess the risks to commercial planes.”

What We Know About the El Paso Airspace Shutdown

“But multiple people briefed on the situation told The New York Times that the airspace had been closed after immigration officials used an anti-drone laser this week that was on loan from the Pentagon without giving the F.A.A. time to assess the risks associated with the technology.”

Trump’s Actions Test the Fragile World of Air Travel

“But F.A.A. officials were concerned about the potential hazards of using lasers near the airspace where commercial planes were landing at El Paso International Airport, and wanted more information.”

Closing of El Paso Airspace Adds to Tension Between F.A.A. and Pentagon

“The Pentagon had insisted to the F.A.A. that the lasers would not pose a risk to civilian aircraft, but the F.A.A., unconvinced, had asked for the military’s data and an opportunity to conduct its own tests, according to three people with knowledge of those discussions. The requests were not satisfied.”

Inside the Debacle That Led to the Closure of El Paso’s Airspace