Story perspectives

FAA Lifts Flight Ban After Misidentified Drone Panic

2/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

The FAA lifted flight restrictions over southern New Mexico on February 13, 2026, which had barred flights below 18,000 feet for national security reasons.
Representative Veronica Escobar and Representative Gabe Vasquez demanded explanations for the abrupt measures.
They argued the action caused panic and disrupted essential services.
Reports indicate the restrictions resulted from a misidentified drone incident involving the Department of Defense (DoD) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) tests.

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Story summary

The FAA lifted flight restrictions over southern New Mexico on February 13, 2026, which had barred flights below 18,000 feet for national security reasons.
Representative Veronica Escobar and Representative Gabe Vasquez demanded explanations for the abrupt measures.
They argued the action caused panic and disrupted essential services.
Reports indicate the restrictions resulted from a misidentified drone incident involving the Department of Defense (DoD) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) tests.