El Paso International Airport

The FAA and DOD say they have validated the safety of a high energy laser system that triggered an airspace closure around El Paso's civilian airport in February.

The U.S. air traffic management (ATM) system used to be heralded as the gold standard of commercial airspace operations.

Federal officials said a “cartel drone incursion” was the cause behind an FAA order that sought to ground all commercial and general aviation flights over El Paso airspace for 10 days, a narrative some lawmakers say demands more explanation.

The FAA has reversed an order that to ground all commercial and general aviation flights from El Paso, Texas, for 10 days starting on Feb. 10.

The Texas-based carrier will add 10 domestic routes and four international routes from the state's capital.

The network additions increase the US carrier’s footprint from Las Vegas to 44 destinations and Miami to 27.

Routes' weekly update on how airlines and airports across North America are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.