WASHINGTON: A secret military laser-based anti-drone system prompted the Trump administration to ban air traffic for more than seven hours in and out of the Texas border city of El Paso after US aviation officials raised drastic concerns about the safety of commercial air traffic. The sudden closure of the nation’s 71st busiest airport by the Federal Aviation Administration stranded air travelers and disrupted medical evacuation flights overnight.

The FAA said the temporary restrictions would be in place until Feb. 21.

The U.S. has halted all flights to and from El Paso International Airport in Texas, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said without giving more details.