Canada offered to take in U.S.-bound aircraft Friday as a nationwide ground stop snarled air travel, drawing pointed thanks from Americans who recalled President Donald Trump’s taunts about making Canada the 51st state.
“Thank you, Canada. Neighbors help neighbors. That's what friendship and leadership look like, California Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote on X. “Washington may have temporarily forgotten this, but the American people never will. We are grateful.”
Canadian Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said Ottawa had offered the Federal Aviation Administration its “full assistance,” including accommodating U.S.-bound planes if needed. “We remain ready to provide support to our American colleagues as the situation evolves.”
The FAA halted departures nationwide after a communications outage hit regional air traffic control centers. The agency lifted the ground stop Friday evening, though airlines warned that delays and cancellations would continue as they worked to restore service, according to media reports.
Tahra Hoops, a senior director at the Chamber of Progress, pointed to Trump’s trade war and statehood taunts.
“And the moment we hit a crisis, they still offered to help,” she wrote. “We need to start treating our allies like allies again.”
Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA) recalled Canada taking in diverted U.S.-bound flights after the Sept. 11 attacks.
“This time doing so despite the hostile and demeaning rhetoric directed toward Canada from the President of the United States,” he posted on X.
“Canada proves once again why it is our closest ally.”
Canada has offered its full assistance to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as it manages the situation, including accommodation of US-bound aircraft as required.We remain ready to provide support to our American colleagues as the situation evolves.
— Steven MacKinnon (@stevenmackinnon) November 13, 2026