Operation Yellow Ribbon ( ) was commenced by Canada to handle the diversion of civilian airline flights in response to the September 11 attacks in 2001 on the United States . Canada 's goal was to ensure that potentially destructive air traffic be removed from United States airspace as quickly as possible , and away from potential U.S. targets , and instead place these aircraft on the ground in Canada , at military and civilian airports in the Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia , Newfoundland and Labrador , and British Columbia ( and also several in New Brunswick , Alberta , Manitoba , Ontario and Quebec ) where any destructive potential could be better contained and neutralized . None of the aircraft proved to be a threat , and Canada and Canadians hosted thousands of passengers stranded in Canada until U.S. airspace was reopened
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Operation Yellow Ribbon