On September 11 , 2001 , the Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) closed down U.S. airspace after a series of terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon . After the FAA closed down U.S. airspace , Collenette acted swiftly and shut down Canadian airspace in order to take in diverted U.S.-bound international flights , launching Transport Canada 's Operation Yellow Ribbon . Ultimately , 255 flights carrying 44,519 passengers were diverted to 15 Canadian airports . In the time that has followed , Collenette has applauded the way Canadians responded to the crisis . He , Chrétien , U.S. Ambassador to Canada Paul Cellucci , and other provincial and local officials presided over Canada 's memorial service to mark the first anniversary of 9/11 at Gander International Airport in Newfoundland and Labrador . There , he helped Chrétien unveil a plaque , commemorating the acts of kindness seen for the diverted passengers not just in Gander , but across the country
terrorist attacks
September 11 attacks
David Collenette