Massport Apologizes For Conducting Fire Training Exercise At Logan On 9/11 Anniversary

Massport has apologized for conducting a fire training exercise at Boston's Logan Airport on Wednesday — the 12th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Massport "understands that it may have offended many of those touched by the events of Sept. 11," it said in a statement posted on its Facebook page. It added that "the exercise should not have taken place on the anniversary of 9/11."

The 9/11 terror attacks began with the hijacking of two airplanes that had taken off from Logan. On that day, 206 people with Massachusetts ties died.

Massport on Wednesday morning alerted the public that it would be conducting the training. It said on Twitter that "smoke on the airfield is part of the training." Pictures posted by WBZ-TV showed flames and black smoke billowing from a training structure on an airfield.

In its apology, Massport added that "the airport community recognizes the day with moments of silence, a service in the chapel, and a wreath at the 9/11 memorial."

Update at 4 p.m.: "Just dumb." That's how Gov. Deval Patrick described Massport's decision to hold the training Wednesday, according to State House News Service.

The governor added: "People who experienced 9/11, many who work at Massport, I just feel so sorry."