Airport’s 9/11 fire drill sparks outrage
The operators of Boston’s airport have apologised for holding an emergency fire training drill yesterday, on the anniversary of 9/11.
Passengers on arriving flights said they were taken aback at the sight of what appeared to be a plane on fire on the ground, and many believed some sort of terrorist action had just taken place.
Hundreds of people have criticised the airport on its Facebook page after it held a fire drill, which included the use of roaring flames and heavy smoke, on the anniversary of the World Trade Centre attacks.
They said the move was insensitive, stupid and thoughtless, particularly as two of the four aircraft hijacked on September 11 2001 had originated at Boston Logan International Airport.
In a statement, Massachusetts Port Authority apologised and said it understands that it may have offended many of those touched by the events of September 11.
"Safety and security is our top priority and constant vigilance and readiness is critical, but the exercise should not have taken place on the anniversary of 9/11," it said.
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick told the Boston Globe the decision to hold the drill was "just dumb".
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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