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The Canadian government’s Department of Transport discovered the alleged Chinese spy balloon two days before it hit the headlines.

“On January 31, 2023, Transport Canada became aware of the possibility of the balloon flying high over western Canada,” a Transport Canada spokesperson told CTVNews.ca.

On the same day, a Canadian Airways flight from Vancouver to Winnipeg reportedly encountered “a large balloon 4,000 feet (1,200 m) above it with something hanging overhead” as it flew over the southeast of British Columbia. The balloon crossed into neighboring Idaho the same day.

“NAV CANADA, the private, not-for-profit corporation responsible for Canada’s civil air navigation service, has been ordered to issue a Notice to Pilots (NOTAM) outlining the hazard and the airspace affected and advising aircraft to exercise caution,” Transport Canada said. explains the spokesperson in a press release.email.March 2. NOTAM records are maintained by NAV CANADA which is responsible for collecting, evaluating and issuing NOTAMs.

CTVNews.ca contacted Nav Canada for a copy of the NOTAM, but received no response.

The balloon made international headlines two days later, on February 2, when it flew over Montana, home to one of three US nuclear missile silo sites, after US defense officials and Canadians recognized his presence.

According to a Transport Canada report Aviation Accidents Online DatabaseNORAD Defense personnel were alerted after sighting Air Canada on January 31. Transport Canada regularly warns that “the report contains unconfirmed preliminary data which is subject to change”.

The alleged Chinese spy balloon, some 60 meters long, easy to maneuver and with a payload the size of an airliner, flew across North America before being shot down over the Atlantic by American fighter planes on February 4.

China denied the balloon was gathering intelligence.

The March 2 statement from Transport Canada comes in response to a question posed on February 10 for an article about Air Canada flights.