What Happened to Gander International? | Full Documentary

In the middle of the forests of Newfoundland lies the world’s former largest airport: Gander International Airport. But what was once a global aviation hub, a listening post during the Cold War, a loophole to the West and a refuge for stranded passengers during the 9/11 attacks, has fallen into oblivion. The film tells the story of how the inhabitants of Gander are gradually moving away from the great world stage and now have to reinvent themselves and their hometown.
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[@Slonge92]

Gander’s role in the history of modern aviation is incredible. Thanks for the great video. Thanks for our wonderful neighbors to the north.

[@shampoo1991]

As someone born, raised, and living in Gander during the attacks, finding this documentary is amazing. Thank you

[@MartyJackson]

Anybody who hasn’t yet seen Come From Away, I highly recommend it. It captures the spirit of Gander really well.

[@brianmcandrew719]

From our hearts in the USA- thank you Gander!

[@ekesandras1481]

Even during Cold War, every Aeroflot jet from Russia to Cuba had to land in Gander for refueling. Gander was considered to be some kind of neutral ground, so the passangers were allowed to leave the plane and into the terminal, while their plane was serviced. In that terminal interesting black market deals took place, for example Russian woman quickly sold their fur coat (which very often they only brought for this purpose, since you don't really need fur coats in Cuba) and either brought the dollars home or bought all kind of stuff in the duty free shops, that were hard to find in the Soviet Union: cigarettes, perfumes, cosmetics, electronics, cameras, etc. I know a woman from Romania who did the trip from Bucarest to Moskow, to Havana via Gander and back, just for the black market opportunities. She was well prepared with goods to trade and made the deal of her life in that roundtrip. Back at home she had some much highly sought of goods to trade, that she made more than three times the money than the whole holiday had cost. But she said you had to be smart because the KGB also had its agents in Gander airport.

[@jonesrick1]

Great job of documenting this obscure but important airport. I was watching and when the part about the 1985 disaster came up, a light went on in my head. It was big news in the lower 48, and I remember reading about it and what a tragic thing it was for the families of those young service people. And now to watch this documentary and realize just how significant a part this airport has played in aviation history just blows me away. Thanks to the producers of this very excellent film.

[@waffles6548smile]

I absolutely loved this documentary! Thankful to have called Gander home for 18 months

[@GermanGreetings]

I can`t watch thisw without crying loudly... Love to Gander !

[@patriciapalmer4215]

The inate authenticity that Newfoundlers possess is akin to few others, they are wonderful.

[@lawnjockey7009]

At nine yrs old, my mother, my two younger brothers and I came thru Gander. It was the spring of 1947. Even though it was 76 yrs ago I still remember it well. Getting off the plane, a KLM Lockheed Constellation, and then walking to the terminal. It was a beautiful, sunny and windy day. We where on our way to Curacao, where my Dad who worked for Shell Oil had been for a year already . Back then the flight from Amsterdam went thru Reykjavic Iceland, than Gander, than NYC, than Miami and from there to Curacao. Each time the plane landed, all the passengers, some forty people, had to get off the plane and go into the terminal for a while. I forget how long the trip took all together but it was certainly more then 24 hrs. What an experience it was.

[@peterdeane4490]

I was volunteering with Emergency Services in our West Coast BC town during 9/11. I remember getting a phone call at my regular job informing me that we were being put on stand-by, in case planes needed to land at our airport. It turned out that none did, and we wouldn't have been able to handle very many at our little airport in any case, but I hope our community would have taken care of frightened people a fraction as well as the inhabitants of Gander did.

[@SophyaAgain]

Thank you for such a fascination documentary. I've never heard of Gander until now. I'm a little bit more educated than yesterday. By the way ... such a beautiful and elegant voice/narration.

[@MrRawMonkey]

In the 1960’s my father worked for aircraft manufacturer Handley Page here in the U.K. He and a team of engineers were dispatched to Gander to repair Eastern Provincial Airways Handley Page Heralds. He was there for several weeks and brought home some great home movies of Gander and Newfoundland and trips on the then trains.

[@Franklin6300]

Excellent video. Well done and verry informative informative. Hats off to our Canadian neighbors.

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

A magnificent documentary coverage video about international Canadian 🇨🇦 Gander Airports & Island 🏝 ...amazing introduction with informative introduction....allot thanks Get factual channel for sharing

[@frostyfrost4094]

Yes fully agree on what you say.

[@magnuseriksson157]

I really appreciated this documentary! In August 1992 I had the pleasure of visiting the airport during a 1h refueling stop. Our A320 needed to do this on our journey ARN-FLL.

[@giorgiocurioso]

Wonderful!!! Bellissimo!!! 🍁🥇

[@calvinflamand8965]

Geez the geography of this island is crazy and beautiful

[@4loops43]

Great documentary!❤

[@garymartin9777]

the 1985 crash was caused by the airplane being overweight. The passengers were all US soldiers with full backpacks. The crew used a standard weight average for each passenger but the soldiers were generally heavier than this. The lesson learned is that crews have to be attentive to the type of passengers they carry on each flight.

[@dfuher968]

Yeah, that was the 1 thing, that confused me about this otherwise excellent video. Coz that is very well known, they made sure to highly publicise the cause, so every1 around the world could learn that lesson.

[@paulazemeckis7835]

I remember this crash. Made it extra hard since they were service men and women. Damn miscalculation with the weight.

[@Shineon83]

….Yeah, and with the average US soldier’s full backpack weight clocking in @ 60+ pounds….That’s a LOT of uncalculated weight….

[@Shineon83]

….Funny thing, but “Gander” is most memorable to me from one of the original Twilight Zone episodes, in 1959 or 60 (it was called, “The Disappearance of Flight xxx”-can’t remember the flight number)….Anyway, “Gander flight control” featured prominently in the episode :)

[@MervynPartin]

That was a really informative and enjoyable documentary. I once had the misfortune to be on a Transat flight from LHR to YYZ that diverted to Gander for refuelling (I've read that this airline does a lot of diversions). It was an even bigger misfortune that we could not get off the plane and see a bit of Gander and Newfoundland. The story of Gander and its people was fascinating. The policy of the Airport Director looking to the future and not dwelling on past glory was commendable and I hope that it is successful.

[@carrickrichards2457]

Dad did alot of business travelling immediately post war and my Aunt was a GI bride. The familly knew Gander well! The C130 Hercules range is too short for big hops and still needs it sometimes!

[@keitharobbins8760]

We flew in and out of Gander going back and forth to Europe. The first time we landed there I saw snow piled 12 ft high. Second time we were there I saw my first and only RCMP officer. I was awestruck he seemed 12 ft tall and so magnificent in his red blazer and black shiny boots. I was all of 12 years. 12 is the recurring number in this story but it's all true. The airport was beautiful and I'm sorry it's not still in its Glory it's glory. The people we met in the airport were and seemed so happy to see us even though it was the wee hours of the morning. We flew in and out on BOAC -now a combination of BOAC and BEA. Those were great days for the airline industry. I miss them-the days and the airlines. Will always love Gander.❤❤🥴💛💛

[@flashcar60]

I remember flying from JFK to Gatwick, decades ago. Housr into the flight, the pilots noted a fault indication, and took us to Gander for inspection and possible repair. The fault proved just to be a burnt-out bulb, so we took on more fuel, and continued the flight successfully. I also took an Arrow Air charter flight to Europe, on a tired DC-10. We didn't even push back from the gate when maintenance issues cropped up. We were delayed six hours. I'm glad that airline went belly-up.

[@WorldGoneKrazy]

Very nice. Thank you. My old man flew out of there in WWII.

[@treelover6255]

Wonderful documentary. Like to go back there for a visit.

[@PauldeSwardt]

What a great documentary - I think the whole world knew about how Gander stepped up and looked after their neighbour's passengers when they were forced to disembark during 9/11. However, I did not know about the Fidel Castro visit or the Aeroflot facility. What a great insight into the resilience and warmth of the people of Gander.

[@robertolodigiani7423]

What a great story!

[@madmadmal]

Gander and Shannon. Both were riding high at the same time.

[@David_Walker16-3-51]

This was worth watching

[@bradford999]

Nicely done!

[@muzzerfuzzer2468]

I remember landing in Gander in 1973. I was on my way home to the US. The plan was to land in sunny South Carolina. We had to divert to Gander. I dont remember the exact reason, but I spent 12 hours in the airport wearing only my dress uniform jacket. It was really really cold there.

[@Watson1]

Very entertaining and informative, but please turn down the volume of the people getting interviewed so we can hear what the interpreters are saying . Very enjoyable.

[@shopsshire9282]

I'll never ever forget the hospitality of the people around gander international airport in Newfoundland on 9/11 2001 when all incoming flights bound for the United States had to land the declaration that all us airspace had to be closed people for like a week it was amazing

[@causewaykayak]

Now it would be nice to have a smaller version of this quite excellent documentary - on the other end of that flight path .... Belfast Aldergrove.

[@blackvulcan100]

I landed at Gander in 1969 on our way from Heathrow to New York, I think I remember that large shed, I think we disembarked there for while.

[@jorgecruzseda7551]

The EXTRAORDINARY CANADIAN HOSPITALITY SHONE THROUGH!!

[@NeilHuff-cp6di]

I f lew out of Gander a number of times in the mid 1950s. The facility offered log cabins with big barrel wood burning stoves for heat. Only the hq building had power and was furnace heater with a cafeteria open 24/7 where everyone ate.

[@seancrumby3241]

Bless the People of Gander

[@ebaystars]

I used to listen to Gander aer radio on HF a lot when younger interesting to monitor from UK

[@rexracernj7696]

I know a US airline pilot who flew Transatlantic a lot till recently, he said occasionally they'd still have to divert to Gander due to some problem & the airport would reward the pilots w/duty-free items.

[@audreymartin2515]

Really interesting and well done

[@jeremyroberts39]

Fascinating......I also loved the local accents, 1 foot on either side of the Atlantic 😊

[@stephendavidbailey2743]

Crossed the Atlantic twice in the 1950's on a Constellation propliner. New York - Gander - Shannon - Frankfort.

[@janvaneck4088]

I did it on a Connie in 1947, age 16 months, youngest passenger ever to fly across the Atlantic as unaccompanied minor! Both ways. AMS-Shannon-Gander-LaGuardia, then transfer to another flight to PHL. They don't let you do that any more.

[@stephendavidbailey2743]

@@janvaneck4088 That deserves an article in an aviation magazine.

[@northernlight696]

Worked in Nfld. for 1 year (1976). Got to land at Gander a few times during that year on EPA and Air Canada.

[@candytoo3729]

I remember, as a Newfoundlander, getting autographs at Gander in the 1960's.

[@watchhans]

It is still an important waypoint for flights across the 'Pond', and a very important alternate airport.

[@johnstirling6597]

Don Bennett was shot down in a raid over Germany , escaped and evaded capture and made his way to Sweden. Later in the war he was the commander of the Pathfinder force for Bomber Command.

[@jacktyler5186]

Served as radioman flight crew on Super Connie AEW flights, 1958-62, and made several deployments to N S Argentia, NL. My crew always made it home but we certainly knew that Gander was there in case we needed an alternate. Weather was always a big concern in the North Atlantic. Great video.

[@konstantinsetiaev6899]

Landed there in May 29,1989- on my way to NY from Moscow. One way ticket...

[@charlottebayford]

Great documentary but 1 huge thing incorrect! 2003 Broadway Musical? Wasn't written until 2015.. went to Broadway 2017.

[@obriets]

I will remember the hospitality of Newfoundlers as long as I remember the events of 9/11, which are seared into my brain.

[@kevinlove4356]

At 9:25 we hear, "After the US enters the war in June 1941..." It is profoundly disturbing that such an error was not caught.

[@kevinlove4356]

@@philhawley1219 Pearl Harbour was six months LATER, in December 1941. My guess is that the author mixed up the USA and USSR. The USSR was invaded in June 1941. The USA and USSR are very different countries; mixing them up is a rather disturbing error.

[@joeg5414]

At least it's not a ww2 documentary i suppose🤷‍♂️

[@dougiekavanagh7508]

Gotta love Gander

[@pierredecine1936]

Interesting Part of 9/11 story !

[@wrp3621]

Thanks Canada !

[@noelhall945]

Flew TCA London/Toronto, October 7th 1948 thro' Gander 1957 was the turning point of more crossings by Airliners than Liners

[@Alistair14]

Excellent documentary, clearly meticulously researched many congratulations are in order. I am a little partisan, living a couple of miles from Prestwick Airport in Scotland - a very important terminus for trans Atlantic flights during the war. One query: at 9.28 the narrator says 'After the US enters the war in June 1941'. I seem to recall December 6, 1940, 'A day that will live in Infamy', according to FDR was when the USA came into WW2. Why the six month difference?? I need help here.

[@GunnerAsch1]

the US had been shipping some supplies to both the British and ultimately the Russians through Gander.. though it was mostly used for personel to both places. There was 6 months of panic, indecision and angst after Pearl Harbor. We had a very small military, we had almost no industry and few military aircraft. For over a year.. the US expanded its factories and its aircraft producton and started training pilots, soldiers, sailors. The US had almost no war fighting capability we could send to Europe for that first year, and even then it was mostly technical specialists being sent to survey, deliver data and so forth. We were fighting and running from the Japs on the other side of the planet and really had little going on Europe for almost 2 yrs before our war machine got big enough to do much, and then it was in Africa and Italy, so a lot of flights were south into South America and then over to Africa and the middle east. Do a time line search on WW2 here on KZbin.. you may find out your teachers glossed over much.

[@mindylinton9249]

The date you are looking for is Dec 7th, 1941 The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour.

[@jimcypher]

I was surprised not to hear about Daniel Fraad Jr., former chairman of the Ogden Allied Maintenance Corp. and his wide Rita in relation to Gander.

[@CountySchoolSM]

Okay, another place I might have to visit one day - assuming I can get a decent fare from the UK!

[@gravelydon7072]

Was there in the 50s. PAA Super Stratocruiser to Ireland.

[@RenaissancManEng]

Will someone please tell me where, or show me ANY of the wreckage Flight 93?

[@Cana-Dave]

At 36:50 Is that Elton John helping to land the planes ?

[@samkohen4589]

Actually there was another airport in Newfoundland not far from Gander but for whatever reason they decided to make a new airport in what became Gander

[@AugustusLarch]

At 26:14. A random giant in a red floral print shirt.

[@henryhorner3182]

Probably the result of trans-Atlantic aircraft not needing to make fuel stops at Gander.

[@skylineXpert]

Gander could become the next Keflavik. If most people can live with spending 6-7 hours on a 737 max 8 or a321neo LR then there may be a potential.

[@PInk77W1]

SAS flys A321neo CPH to BOS. 8hrs

[@chrisstaylor8377]

The gear was railed in ,not flown in

[@greggweber9967]

This and hiding the Americans during the Iranian Embassy takeover, and saying that they were Canadians, I am thankful for.

[@llYossarian]

9:26 - "...the US enters the war in _June, 1941??"_ -- Do you mean to say that's when _Lend-Lease_ began or did you seriously conflate D-Day and Pearl Harbor?

[@jb1934]

this being a civilian doc, the yossarian I recall from Heller's masterpiece would have cut some slack.

[@llYossarian]

@@jb1934 Sometimes my comments match up reasonably well but I can't be expected to do any and every line in character... I just don't have the patience or _(let's be real)_ the talent to make every comment some kind of perfectly clever paradoxical/absurdist masterpiece.

[@danieleregoli812]

Big it was, but It was never a hub, it was at best a staging post for the early wave of transatlantic crossings. That's all.

[@garyhebbard85]

Try New fun land

[@garyhebbard85]

Why could not the narrator of this film have been instructed in the correct prononciation of the province's name? It is most definately NOT New fun lund!

[@saimaleon7115]

How DO you pronounce it?

[@stuartfraser1825]

​@@saimaleon7115 UNDERSTAND NEWFOUNDLAND

[@jamesstephenpeyton3305]

New Found LAND. Not NEW fund lund

[@daklakdigital3691]

Sadly the trans-Newfoundland railway is no more.

[@bobbyziglar3281]

Just one more reason, not to fly.

[@peterhoebarth4234]

Gander is to refuel , on straight Line , on flat Earth.

[@hotspur666]

At the time, I was flying out of Corner Brook(Pasadena-Deer Lake), west of Gander and went all the time to Goose Bay and Gander...In 1984, I moved to the USA, Florida...1985 a DC-8 of Arrow Air crashed in Gander and 1986, I was flying Arrow Air's DC-8 too and very often stopped by Gander to re-fuel and checked out on our crash of Arrow Air 1285. Asking around at Gander's fueling company, they told me they noticed when they loaded fuel that night, there was a lot of thick frost over the wings of Arrow Air 1285 DC-8 and you cannot but think that the airplane must have stalled on take off due to the thick frost. The loader was driving home after and the DC-8 flew right over him, just twenty feet over, then crashed 500 feet east...

[@hotspur666]

There was a very hot fire burning the plane...after the fire went out, he said looking at the windows, the passengers were still seated and all held by their seat belts but all the heads were been ripped off their bodies...

[@silvershadchan4085]

@get.factual could you please upload a documentary about Alfred the Great.

[@Tiberiotertio]

So typical of certain remote canadians "the world" this and "the world" that and then when you look closer folks in the US and Canada might know the place and very few from some where else otherwise it is unknown. Still have to smirk about a little chip shop by Camloops that had a large sign saying that it is "World Famous" ten kilometers down the road no one knew the place.

[@Naduron0]

i hope Gander never closes Q:Q and will always live on forever

[@seanoreilly7293]

Prestwick airport in Scotland has a strong connection with Gander,

[@jamesstephenpeyton3305]

Love from TooGood Arm.

[@joekelley1014]

Excellent. I live in the town next to Bangor International Airport.

[@paulazemeckis7835]

He said "the" Concord!

[@joeg5414]

What's your point?

[@peterhoebarth4234]

@@joeg5414 , he means , the Earth is not a Globe. I know, the Earth is flat.

[@daddynme]

Excellent