19 - Memories of 9/11: Shutting Down the Sky

NATS Altitude

This year is the 21st anniversary of the tragic events of 11 September 2001. Those of us who are old enough to remember it will never forget where we were or what we were doing when we heard the news. Most of us probably then spent the next few hours glued, horrified to the rolling news coverage.
But some - like the those involved with air traffic control on the day - had to process the news while also then managing the implications of what was happening.
In this month’s Altitude, we’re joined by two people with unique stories to share.
Michael McCormick was the on duty as an air traffic control manager in New York on the morning of 9/11 and took the huge decision to close New York’s airspace once it became clear what was happening.
On the other side of the Atlantic, Shahid Mohammed, a controller at NATS Prestwick Centre, worked with his team to find a safe haven for almost 100 flights after they were turned back over the ocean.
It’s a story of teamwork and professionalism in the face of unprecedented events.

You can also watch an on demand version of the livestream on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NatsAero