Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
We had been vectored off of the WAZKO1 RNAV Arrival toward the final approach course for the RNAV Runway 4 at ELP. We broke out of the overcast around 9;000 ft. and were approaching KANTR at 7;500 feet. There was a lot of ambient light from the city below and the reflection of that light from the overcast above as well as the fresh layer of snow on the surface. Approach cleared us for the approach and gave us 'Direct KANTR; Maintain 7;200 ft. until KANTR;' which I read back; with an emphasis on the '200'. The FO (PF) selected vertical speed mode after I set 7;200 ft. in the altitude preselector and called '7;200 ft. set!'. The published altitude at KANTR is 7;500 feet; which is located above terrain at 5;851 ft. We leveled at 7;200 ft. and she called for Flaps 18; and we joined the final approach course with the runway; and the terrain below in sight since descending out of 9;000 ft. Just then the GPWS System chimed in with 'Terrain! Pull Up!'. The FO dutifully disconnected the autopilot and I told her NOT to go around; as we were on a published segment of the final approach in good VMC (ELP was reporting 10 SM Vis) and I had the terrain in sight the whole time. We were not descending; and we had been level for some time. We landed without incident and taxied to our gate. Upon docking; I asked Ground for the phone number to the folks at approach control. The fellow who answered offered that he was indeed the Controller. I told him what had happened and he said that it was not at all uncommon; and that 7;200 ft. was their Minimum Vectoring Altitude in that sector. I told him that I would be filing a report with respect to the incident; for his own information.If there are other similar incidents here a communique should be distributed to the pilot group.
Air carrier Captain reported GPWS Terrain warning while following ATC clearance at Minimum Vectoring Altitude during approach to ELP airport.