“In general, the F.A.A. goes to great lengths to avoid closing airports to traffic, as unplanned closures, even when they happen for just a few hours, can wreak havoc on air travel.”

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

“The F.A.A. generally goes to great lengths to avoid closing airports because unplanned closures, even for a few hours, can severely disrupt air travel.”

What We Know About the El Paso Airspace Shutdown

“The aviation system does best when government policy is stable and predictable. But that has not always been the case since President Trump returned to office last year. Announcements by federal officials have at times caused confusion and, in some cases, upended the plans of travelers and airlines, leaving them struggling to respond. The uncertainty associated with such events “clearly isn’t promoting air travel,” said Bob Mann, an industry consultant and a former airline executive. “This is promoting doubts.””

Trump’s Actions Test the Fragile World of Air Travel

“Late Tuesday night, it abruptly closed El Paso’s airspace, an extraordinary measure that disrupted travel and shocked local residents.”

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

“It was an extraordinary decision that surprised the flying public and local officials.”

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