Boston Logan airport has had to issue an apology due to a fire training exercise that upset many travelers and residents alike. Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is quoted as saying it was "just dumb."

The fire training exercise which included smoke and flames on the airfield was conducted the 12th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. As you might recall two of the flights started their fateful flight out of Boston Logan adding to the fear of residents and passengers.

Boston.com reports that within hours, the Massachusetts Port Authority, which operates the airport, issued a statement apologizing for the timing of the exercise.

Patrick said he still had a “tremendous amount of confidence” in the Massport leadership.

“I have to believe they just didn’t catch this,” he said.

“The people who experienced 9/11 — many of whom work at Massport — I just feel so sorry,” he said.

At about 9:30 a.m., the airport’s Facebook page announced that their fire department was holding the exercise, warning people that the training would produce smoke in the area.



Twitter and Facebook erupted with comments from people upset that airport officials chose today for the exercise.

“Massport apologizes for conducting the fire training exercise and understands that it may have offended many of those touched by the events of Sept. 11,” Massport said in a statement.

Twelve years ago this morning, two of the planes used in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks took off from Logan. The attacks claimed the lives of 206 people with ties to Massachusetts.

“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,” the Massport statement said.