09/10/2026
๐๐ค๐๐๐ก๐ฆ-๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐, ๐ด๐๐๐๐๐๐โ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก.
This visualization of air traffic on September 11, 2001, shows something that words alone struggle to convey. Thousands of aircraft were in the skies over our nation that morning. As the attacks unfolded, the Federal Aviation Administration took unprecedented action- first stopping all departures nationwide and then ordering aircraft already in U.S. airspace to land. One by one, the airplanes disappear from the map.
Behind every one of those dots was an airplane. A crew. Passengers. Air traffic controllers. Airline employees. Airport operations teams. Dispatchers. Ground crews. Security personnel. And countless others working through circumstances aviation had never experienced before. For those of us who work in this industry, September 11 forever changed the way we fly, and the way we keep one another safe.
We remember first and foremost the passengers and crews whose lives were taken that morning. We also recognize the extraordinary aviation professionals who faced the unimaginable. As Mainers, we also remember our neighbors to the north.
As aircraft bound for the United States were diverted, Canadian airports opened their runways and communities across the country opened their doors. In places throughout Atlantic Canada, including Gander, Halifax, Moncton and St. Johnโs, thousands of unexpected guests were met not simply with a place to land, but with extraordinary compassion.
Here at BGR, where so many of our Maritime neighbors consider Bangor their airport, that kindness and friendship still resonate deeply. Twenty-five years later, we remain grateful.
๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐. ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐. ๐ด๐๐ ๐ค๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก.
This animation was created by NASA using FAA air traffic control da...
