News

New York Times • Eric Schmitt, Karoun Demirjian, Kate Kelly, Tyler Pager

FAA–Pentagon standoff over laser counter‑drone response triggers 10‑day El Paso airspace closure

The FAA closed El Paso airspace for ten days after suspected Mexican cartel drone incursions and the Pentagon’s unapproved deployment of a military laser system near the border. The move prompted a rare agency standoff, rapid military action and NTSB warnings about severe communication failures.

2026-02-14T03:04:35.570713-08:00

Associated Press

TSA officers working without pay as DHS funding lapses, raising risk of airport delays

2026-02-13T21:10:35.164216-08:00

Reuters

FAA briefly ordered 10‑day closure of El Paso airspace after alleged cartel drone incursions amid Pentagon–FAA standoff

2026-02-11T01:50:22.507263-08:00

FlightGlobal

Avinor starts world‑first multi‑airport remote‑tower trial from Bodø linking 14 airports

2026-02-12T01:03:46.275679-08:00

News Timeline

New York Times

❗️

FAA–Pentagon standoff over laser counter‑drone response triggers 10‑day El Paso airspace closure The FAA closed El Paso airspace for ten days after suspected Mexican cartel drone incursions and the Pentagon’s unapproved deployment of a military laser system near the border. The move prompted a rare agency standoff, rapid military action and NTSB warnings about severe communication failures.

2026-02-14T03:04:35.570713-08:00

FAA–Pentagon standoff over laser counter‑drone response triggers 10‑day El Paso airspace closure

Associated Press

❗️

TSA officers working without pay as DHS funding lapses, raising risk of airport delays A lapse in Department of Homeland Security funding has put TSA and other homeland security officers on duty without pay as a partial government shutdown begins. Trade groups and carriers warn the staffing and funding gap could lengthen security lines, strain screening operations and disrupt travel.

2026-02-13T21:10:35.164216-08:00

TSA officers working without pay as DHS funding lapses, raising risk of airport delays

Universe Today

Tree rings reveal solar superstorms capable of crippling modern satellites and power grids Scientists have found spikes of radioactive carbon in ancient tree rings that record solar storms far more powerful than any in the modern era. These events produced radiation bursts that, if occurring today, could severely damage satellites, disrupt GNSS and HF communications, and threaten power‑grid stability.

2026-02-13T01:34:52.399419-08:00

Tree rings reveal solar superstorms capable of crippling modern satellites and power grids

New York Times

❗️

Trump administration’s last-minute decisions disrupt U.S. aviation operations Last-minute directives and abrupt policy changes from the Trump administration have sown confusion across an already strained U.S. aviation system, disrupting airline schedules, airport operations and air-traffic management. Carriers and regulators are scrambling to interpret shifting guidance amid persistent staffing and funding pressures.

2026-02-12T11:16:38.060208-08:00

Trump administration’s last-minute decisions disrupt U.S. aviation operations

FlightGlobal

❗️

Avinor starts world‑first multi‑airport remote‑tower trial from Bodø linking 14 airports Avinor has begun a world‑first trial from its Bodø remote‑tower centre, linking digital feeds from 14 airports and testing concurrent operations across four airport pairs — Rørvik–Namsos, Mehamn–Hasvik, Vardø–Berlevåg and Røst–Svolvær. The programme evaluates AFIS officers managing multiple aerodromes from a single workstation.

2026-02-12T01:03:46.275679-08:00

Avinor starts world‑first multi‑airport remote‑tower trial from Bodø linking 14 airports

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

❗️

NTSB: ATC failed to relay turbulence report; three United cabin crew seriously injured on UA1890 The NTSB found air traffic controllers did not pass a turbulence report from a preceding aircraft to the crew of United flight UA1890, a Boeing 777 arriving Newark from Los Angeles in February 2024, resulting in severe injuries to three flight attendants.

2026-02-11T12:35:29.437845-08:00

NTSB: ATC failed to relay turbulence report; three United cabin crew seriously injured on UA1890

AINonline

❗️

Unexplained FAA NOTAMs Disrupt Flights in Texas and New Mexico as Purpose Remains Unclear A series of unexplained FAA NOTAMs temporarily disrupted commercial flights across parts of Texas and New Mexico and have prompted agency and industry inquiries. Regulators say the NOTAMs' purpose is under investigation, but officials have provided no public explanation, leaving carriers and airports scrambling for operational guidance.

2026-02-11T10:44:14.468384-08:00

Unexplained FAA NOTAMs Disrupt Flights in Texas and New Mexico as Purpose Remains Unclear

Reuters

❗️

FAA briefly ordered 10‑day closure of El Paso airspace after alleged cartel drone incursions amid Pentagon–FAA standoff The FAA issued a 10‑day flight restriction grounding operations to and from El Paso International for “special security reasons,” then abruptly reopened the airspace after U.S. military action against alleged Mexican cartel drones. AP sources say the move followed a Pentagon–FAA dispute over counter‑drone measures, including lasers.

2026-02-11T01:50:22.507263-08:00

FAA briefly ordered 10‑day closure of El Paso airspace after alleged cartel drone incursions amid Pentagon–FAA standoff

Menu

ATC News

FAA–Pentagon standoff over laser counter‑drone response triggers 10‑day El Paso airspace closure

TSA officers working without pay as DHS funding lapses, raising risk of airport delays

FAA briefly ordered 10‑day closure of El Paso airspace after alleged cartel drone incursions amid Pentagon–FAA standoff

Avinor starts world‑first multi‑airport remote‑tower trial from Bodø linking 14 airports

News Timeline