09/11/2026
On September 11, 2001, the closure of U.S. airspace left hundreds of aircraft unable to reach their destinations. In response, Canada launched Operation Yellow Ribbon which diverted 238 flights to 17 airports across the country. Among them was Gander International Airport in Newfoundland. They received 38 aircraft carrying 6,656 passengers and crew. With a population of about 10,000, the residents of Gander and neighboring communities organized transportation from the airport, opened shelters, prepared meals, and provided essential support during a period of profound uncertainty.
Operation Yellow Ribbon remains a powerful example of the critical role of a strong transportation system and its ability to adapt when ordinary operations are disrupted. These systems depend on the people who plan and operate them, coordinate across agencies and communities, and answer the call when they are needed most.
Today, we remember the 2,977 people who lost their lives on September 11 and all those whose lives were forever changed. We remember the families who lost loved ones, those who were injured, and the survivors who continue to carry the effects of that day. We honor the first responders, emergency personnel, transportation workers, public servants, volunteers, and community members who answered the call, as well as those who served in the rescue, recovery, and response efforts in the days, months, and years that followed. May we never forget.
Learn more:
9/11 Legacy Foundation — Operation Yellow Ribbon
https://the911legacy.org/legacy-stories/operation-yellow-ribbon/
Transport Canada — Four Days in September
https://tc.canada.ca/en/four-days-september
