One by-product of the air base 's creation in 1951 was extension of the existing airport 's runways to handle the largest military aircraft . The long runways at North Bay have been maintained as an alternate landing site for Toronto 's Pearson International Airport and were used during the September 11 crisis as an emergency landing site for several international aircraft . It was also a designated emergency field for NASA 's Space Transportation System , better known as the Space Shuttle
September 11 crisis
September 11 attacks
North Bay, Ontario