Gander International Airport

History Gander International Airport

Construction of the airport began in 1936 and it was opened in 1938 , with the first landing on January 11 of an Imperial Airways De Havilland Fox Moth piloted by Captain Douglas Fraser. In a few years, the airport had 4 runways and was the largest airport in the world. Its official name until 1941 was Newfoundland Airport .

In 1940 , operations at the airport were assigned by the Dominion of Newfoundland to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and it was renamed RCAF Station Gander in 1941 . The airport was used extensively by Ferry Command to ferry newly built aircraft across the Atlantic to the

European theater of war, as well as as a stopover site for anti-submarine patrols dedicated to hunting U Boots . Germans in the northwest Atlantic. Thousands of aircraft from the United States Army Air Corps / United States Army Air Forces and the Royal Canadian Air Forcedestined for the war in Europe transited through Gander.

The Royal Canadian Navy also established a naval radio station at the airport, using it as a listening post and detection station for transmissions and the positions of enemy submarines or ships.

After the war, the RCAF returned operational management to the Dominion Government in March 1946 , but the Navy radio station was maintained and the military role of the installations was reinforced during the Cold War.

The government named the airport Gander Airport and it came under the administration of the federal Department of Canadian Transportation following the entry, in 1949, of Newfoundland into the Canadian Confederation . Numerous improvements to the runways and terminals were then carried out giving it approximately its current configuration. The airport rose to prominence in the early decades of jet aircraft, with importance amplified by its location, almost exactly on the optimal great circle route (i.e. the shortest path connecting two points on the surface of the globe) between the main cities of the American East Coast and London.

Operation Yellow Ribbon Gander International Airport

THE September 11, 2001, when United States airspace was closed following the terrorist attacks, Gander Airport hosted 39 flights, totaling 6,122 passengers and 473 crew members, part of Operation Yellow Ribbon , the diversion international flights to Canada after the closure of American airspace. Gander then received more flights than any other Canadian airport involved in this operation, with the exception of Halifax Stanfield International Airport (the airport having then received the largest number of passengers was Vancouver International Airport with 8,500 people).

One of the main reasons Gander received such traffic was its ability to accommodate large aircraft but also because at the start of the operation Transport Canada and NAV CANADA instructed pilots of aircraft coming from Europe to avoid airports in major urban centers in central Canada, such as Toronto Pearson International Airport and Montreal-Dorval . The welcome given to the passengers of these flights by the residents of central Newfoundland near the airport has remained known as one of the few happy events of that day. This event also inspired the musical Come from Away .

In their honor, Lufthansa named one of its Airbus A340-300 "Gander-Halifax" theMay 16, 2002. The aircraft is registered under the number D-AIFC, the only aircraft of the company bearing the name of a city outside Germany 1.

The airport was the site of the Canadian celebration which marked the first anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks , in the presence of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien , Minister of Transport David Collenette , American Ambassador to Canada Paul Cellucci and officials provincial and local as well as 2,500 of the 6,600 people who were diverted there a year earlier.

About Gander International Airport

Construction of the airport began in 1936 and it was opened in 1938 , with the first landing on January 11 of an Imperial Airways De Havilland Fox Moth piloted by Captain Douglas Fraser. In a few years, the airport had 4 runways and was the largest airport in the world. Its official name until 1941 was Newfoundland Airport .

Facilities and Runways: Gander International Airport has three asphalt runways: Runway 03/21, Runway 09/27, and Runway 13/31. The runways can accommodate a wide range of aircraft, including large commercial jets and military aircraft.

Terminal and Amenities:

The airport features a modern terminal building equipped with facilities such as check-in counters, baggage claim, shops, restaurants, lounges, and car rental services. The terminal provides a comfortable environment for travelers.

Airline Operators:

Several major Canadian and international airlines operate from Gander International Airport, providing regular flights to destinations in Canada, the United States, and other parts of the world.

Passenger Traffic:

Gander International Airport handles a significant amount of passenger traffic each year, making it an important hub for both domestic and international travelers.

Cargo Operations:

The airport supports cargo operations, facilitating the transportation of goods and freight to various destinations.

Emergency Diversion Airport:

Due to its strategic location, Gander International Airport is often used as an emergency diversion airport for transatlantic flights. In the event of aircraft emergencies or unscheduled landings, the airport provides a safe landing spot.

Aviation History:

Gander International Airport has a rich aviation history and was a critical hub during World War II, especially for transatlantic flights. Its historical significance is recognized and remembered within the airport's facilities.

Community Involvement:

The airport actively engages with the local community, supporting various initiatives, events, and organizations in Gander and the surrounding region.

For the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding Gander International Airport, including recent developments, flight schedules, and specific services offered, I recommend visiting the official website of the airport or contacting the airport directly.