---
title: "Canada shut airspace within minutes on 9/11, ex-minister says"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/canada-shut-airspace-within-minutes-on-911-ex-minister-says"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/canada-shut-airspace-within-minutes-on-911-ex-minister-says"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/canada-shut-airspace-within-minutes-on-911-ex-minister-says.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/canada-shut-airspace-within-minutes-on-911-ex-minister-says"
category: "Politics"
area: "United States"
published: "2026-09-10T12:25:31.726Z"
source_reported: "2026-09-10T09:21:37.000Z"
updated: "2026-09-10T12:25:31.726Z"
trust_score: 42
critic_score: 57
hype_score: 20
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-09-10T13:44:40.991Z"
---

# Canada shut airspace within minutes on 9/11, ex-minister says

*Former transportation minister David Collenette recounts the rapid decision-making process during the September 11 attacks.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. One source provided a full report, while 24 others provided digests.
- Craft 57 of 100, higher is better. The report is clear and well-written, with a focus on the human element and Canadian response.
- Hype 20 of 100, lower is better. The language is measured and proportionate, focusing on the historical event and its commemoration.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Canada's airspace was closed within minutes on September 11, 2001, as hundreds of aircraft were in the air, according to former transportation minister David Collenette.
- Approximately 270 planes were directed back to Europe, while over 230 were diverted to land in Canada, with Gander, Newfoundland, accommodating 38 planes and about 6,500 passengers.
- Collenette stated that there was no discussion of cost at the time, as people across the country offered support to stranded passengers.
- Various events are planned across Canada to commemorate the nearly 3,000 people killed in the 9/11 attacks.

On September 11, 2001, hundreds of aircraft were in the air over the western North Atlantic when the United States shut down its airspace. Canada's then-transportation minister, David Collenette, stated that the country had only minutes to decide whether to close its own airspace. Approximately 270 planes were told to turn back to Europe, while over 230 planes were directed to land in Canada. Gander, Newfoundland, a town of about 9,000 people, accommodated 38 planes carrying approximately 6,500 passengers.

Collenette, who was attending an international conference in Montreal when he received news of the attacks, returned to Ottawa to manage the situation. He recalled that a plane was entering Canadian airspace every 90 seconds. The decision to close Canadian airspace was made quickly, with officials directing planes to land in various locations, including Atlantic Canada and larger cities like Montreal and Vancouver.

The former minister noted that people across the aviation community and the country worked together efficiently to ensure the safety of all passengers. He highlighted that no one disputed the orders given by air traffic controllers. Collenette also mentioned that at the time, there was no discussion about the financial cost of accommodating the stranded passengers, as individuals offered significant support.

Various events are planned across Canada to commemorate the nearly 3,000 people killed in the 9/11 attacks. These include a commemoration ceremony in Gander, where Collenette will speak, an exhibition of drawings by artist John Coburn in Toronto, and memorial ceremonies at border parks and gardens in British Columbia and Manitoba.

## Disagreement on number of planes in the air

City News reported that there were about 500 planes in the air over the western North Atlantic when the US shut down its airspace, carrying an estimated 85,000 people. The other reports do not provide a specific number for planes in the air or people on board at that moment.

## What the coverage left out

None of the left-rated or centre-rated reports mention the specific cost of accommodating stranded passengers that David Collenette stated was not discussed at the time.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 25 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 60% (15)
- Centre: 40% (10)
- Right: 0% (0)

3 of 28 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-10T13:44:40.991Z.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 8 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-10T14:30:42.191Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- The left-rated reports led with the urgency of Canada's decision to close its airspace, often using headlines that highlighted the limited time frame. They focused on the actions taken by former transportation minister David Collenette and the swift response of Canadian authorities. These reports detailed the number of planes diverted to Europe and Canada, and specifically mentioned Gander, Newfoundland, as a key landing site for stranded aircraft and passengers. The digests also noted the various commemorative events planned across Canada to mark the 9/11 anniversary and remember those killed in the attacks.

### Centre

- The centre-rated reports also highlighted the rapid decision-making process regarding Canada's airspace closure on 9/11, with headlines reflecting the limited time available. They included details about the number of planes diverted and the specific role of Gander, Newfoundland, in accommodating thousands of passengers. These reports also mentioned the broader context of 9/11 commemorations taking place across Canada. The City News full report provided specific figures for the number of planes in the air and passengers on board, which was not present in the other centre-rated digests.

### Right

No separate framing summary.

**Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- high: 16
- unknown: 5
- veryHigh: 7

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [The Globe & Mail](https://theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-canada-planes-911-response) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond
- [CTV News](https://ctvnews.ca/canada/newfoundland-and-labrador/article/with-hundreds-of-planes-in-the-air-on-911-canada-had-minutes-to-respond) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond
- [National Observer](https://nationalobserver.com/2026/09/10/news/hundreds-planes-air-911-canada-had-just-minutes-respond) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had just minutes to respond
- [Wings Magazine](https://wingsmagazine.com/with-hundreds-of-planes-in-the-air-on-9-11-canada-had-minutes-to-respond) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond
- [Battlefords NOW](https://battlefordsnow.com/2026/09/10/with-hundreds-of-planes-in-the-air-on-9-11-canada-had-minutes-to-respond) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond
- [Narcity](https://narcity.com/canada-had-minutes-to-respond-on-9-11-ex-minister) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond
- [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/canada/with-hundreds-of-planes-in-the-air-on-9-11-canada-had-minutes-to-respond/article_880d251c-7513-567f-94a8-bc6235a52013.html) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond
- [Rocky Mountain Outlook](https://rmoutlook.com/national-business/with-hundreds-of-planes-in-the-air-on-911-canada-had-minutes-to-respond-12761857) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond
- [SooToday.com](https://sootoday.com/national-news/with-hundreds-of-planes-in-the-air-on-911-canada-had-minutes-to-respond-12761873) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond
- [Airdrie City View](https://airdriecityview.com/national-business/with-hundreds-of-planes-in-the-air-on-911-canada-had-minutes-to-respond-12761857) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond
- [Orillia Matters](https://orilliamatters.com/national-news/with-hundreds-of-planes-in-the-air-on-911-canada-had-minutes-to-respond-12761873) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond
- [City News](https://halifax.citynews.ca/2026/09/10/with-hundreds-of-planes-in-the-air-on-9-11-canada-had-minutes-to-respond) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond
- [Collingwood Today](https://collingwoodtoday.ca/national-news/with-hundreds-of-planes-in-the-air-on-911-canada-had-minutes-to-respond-12761873) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond
- [Thorold Today](https://thoroldtoday.ca/national-news/with-hundreds-of-planes-in-the-air-on-911-canada-had-minutes-to-respond-12761873) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond
- [Elora Fergus Today](https://elorafergustoday.com/national-news/with-hundreds-of-planes-in-the-air-on-911-canada-had-minutes-to-respond-12761873) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond
- [meadowlakeNOW](https://meadowlakenow.com/2026/09/10/with-hundreds-of-planes-in-the-air-on-9-11-canada-had-minutes-to-respond) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond
- [Sudbury](https://sudbury.com/national/with-hundreds-of-planes-in-the-air-on-911-canada-had-minutes-to-respond-12761873) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond
- [Bay Today](https://baytoday.ca/national-news/with-hundreds-of-planes-in-the-air-on-911-canada-had-minutes-to-respond-12761873) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond
- [Medicine Hat News](https://medicinehatnews.com/news/national-news/2026/09/10/with-hundreds-of-planes-in-the-air-on-9-11-canada-had-minutes-to-respond) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond
- [Timmins Today](https://timminstoday.com/national-news/with-hundreds-of-planes-in-the-air-on-911-canada-had-minutes-to-respond-12761873) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond
- [thealbertan.com](https://thealbertan.com/national-news/with-hundreds-of-planes-in-the-air-on-911-canada-had-minutes-to-respond-12761873) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond
- [Ckpg Today](https://ckpgtoday.ca/2026/09/10/with-hundreds-of-planes-in-the-air-on-9-11-canada-had-minutes-to-respond) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond
- [Western Investor](https://westerninvestor.com/national-business/with-hundreds-of-planes-in-the-air-on-911-canada-had-minutes-to-respond-12761868) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond
- [The Lethbridge Herald](https://lethbridgeherald.com/news/national-news/2026/09/10/with-hundreds-of-planes-in-the-air-on-9-11-canada-had-minutes-to-respond) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond
- [CFJC Today Kamloops](https://cfjctoday.com/2026/09/10/with-hundreds-of-planes-in-the-air-on-9-11-canada-had-minutes-to-respond) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond
- [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/news/canada/with-hundreds-of-planes-in-the-air-on-9-11-canada-had-minutes-to-respond/article_3bbefa11-f87f-5e5c-85ae-3742a6a64917.html) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond
- [The Record](https://therecord.com/news/canada/with-hundreds-of-planes-in-the-air-on-9-11-canada-had-minutes-to-respond/article_a7bd1099-e65f-5be1-8a16-564133b655a0.html) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond
- [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/business/2026/09/10/with-hundreds-of-planes-in-the-air-on-9-11-canada-had-minutes-to-respond) — With hundreds of planes in the air on 9/11, Canada had minutes to respond

## Questions

**How quickly did Canada close its airspace on 9/11?**

Canada's then-transportation minister, David Collenette, stated that the country had only minutes to decide whether to close its airspace on September 11, 2001, as hundreds of planes were in the air. This decision was made rapidly in response to the US shutting down its own airspace.

**How many planes were diverted or landed in Canada on 9/11?**

Approximately 270 planes were told to turn back to Europe, while over 230 planes were directed to land in Canada. The town of Gander, Newfoundland, specifically accommodated 38 planes carrying about 6,500 passengers.

**Were there any costs associated with landing planes in Canada on 9/11?**

According to former minister David Collenette, there was no discussion of the financial cost at the time of the 9/11 attacks. He noted that people across Canada offered significant support, opening their homes and donating resources to stranded passengers.

---

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