Borders open; Canadian flights still grounded

OTTAWA (Sept. 12, 2001) — The Canada Customs and Revenue Agency said borders into Canada are open, but customs officers are exercising “extra vigilance and will be checking all passengers at all border points.”

This could result in delays for travellers, the agency warned.

Meanwhile, civil air travel in Canada remains at a standstill until further notice from Transport Canada. As a security measure, all flights were cancelled before 11 a.m. EDT Tuesday and space was being cleared at Canadian airports for U.S. flights to be diverted there.

The only exception to the grounding order in Canada will be for humanitarian flights that may be sent with emergency medical supplies to the U.S. or to medevac people to hospitals, according to a Transport Canada spokesman.