U.S. congresswoman thanks Canada for 9/11 help

A U.S. congresswoman wants to formally thank the residents of Gander, central Newfoundland and Canada for helping U.S. citizens after terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

Representative Louise Slaughter introduced a resolution recognizing Canada's help after 9/11 in the U.S. House of Representatives on May 31, 2011.

On September 11, 2001, both the U.S. and Canada closed their airspace immediately after hijacked planes crashed in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. Thousands of planes were grounded and many of them landed in Canada.  

"Particularly inspiring are the contributions of the Town of Gander in Newfoundland and Labrador whose airport received 38 flights, the second highest amount in Canada," according to a news release from Slaughter's office.

"I know that you can't ask for any better neighbours or friends than the people of Canada. As we look back on that dark day, we remember not only those who we lost but also recognize the friendships that were strengthened and the hospitality of our neighbours to the north who aided American passengers in our hour of need."

Slaughter represents Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Rochester, New York. 

Nav Canada — Canada's civil air navigation services provider — recorded 239 aircraft destined for the U.S. and Canada landing safely at 17 airports in Canada after airspace was closed on September 11, 2001.

Newfoundland and Labrador welcomed more airline passengers than any other province, with 13,000 stranded individuals.  

About half of the 75 aircraft that landed in Newfoundland and Labrador landed at Gander International Airport.

Gander International Airport was scheduled to receive eights flights that day and instead received 38 and the second highest number of passengers, 6,600, out of all the Canadian airports.

Gander has a population of approximately 9,600 people, only 3,000 more than the total number of stranded passengers.  

Other parts of Newfoundland and Labrador also received unscheduled flights at the time: one flight landed in Deer Lake Regional Airport, 21 flights went to St. John's International Airport, seven flights landed at Canadian Forces Base Goose Bay and eight flights landed Stephenville International Airport.  

In Nova Scotia, 47 flights were redirected to the Halifax Stanfield International Airport.   Vancouver International Airport in British Columbia received 34 diverted flights.