Full Breakdown
Gander’s 25-Year Tribute to the 9/11 Humanitarian Response
By Drooid · · How we work
The Emergency Diversion on September 11, 2001
When the United States closed its airspace on September 11, 2001, 38 commercial airliners were rerouted to Canada. Gander International Airport, a town of roughly 10,000 residents, received nearly 7,000 passengers and crew. The planes landed over a few hours; passengers remained on board for up to 28 hours before being de-planed and accommodated in churches, schools, community centres and private homes.
Background and Context
The operation was part of Canada’s “Operation Yellow Ribbon,” coordinated by then-transportation minister David Collenette. Gander’s mayor, Claude Elliott, organized blankets, pillows and cots for the influx. The town’s response later inspired the Tony-Award-winning Broadway musical Come From Away and a Heritage Minute produced by Historica Canada.
Data and Statistics
- 38 commercial jets (plus four military aircraft) were diverted to Gander.
- ? 7,000 passengers and crew were hosted, roughly doubling the town’s population.
- The humanitarian effort lasted five days, with volunteers providing three meals a day, free clothing, toiletries and a “largest walk-in freezer” at the community centre’s ice rink.
- About 250 Canadian airports received diverted flights; Gander handled the largest single-site concentration.
Why It Matters
Gander’s response forged lasting personal bonds between stranded travellers and Newfoundlanders, leading to scholarships, a $1 million fund for local students, and a permanent park featuring a Twin-Tower steel fragment. The story is a symbol of Canada-U.S. goodwill and is frequently cited in cultural works and diplomatic commemorations.
Official Statements & Responses
Former transportation minister David Collenette later reflected, “I think we made the right decisions,” emphasizing the swift coordination that kept passengers safe.
Mayor Claude Elliott (as portrayed by Rick Mercer) reiterated that “there is still a place in the world where people are still decent to each other, and respect each other.”
Criticism & Opposition
Local residents expressed unease about U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra’s planned attendance. Karry Derringer Cashin (New Jersey) lamented, “I feel like the new administration is not about kindness so much. I feel like I have to keep apologizing to my Canadian friends.”
On-the-Ground Reports
Former Chicagoan Linda Kloss recalled the pilot’s announcement, “The pilot came on and said that United States airspace was closed and we were being diverted to Canada. That’s all we knew.”
Pilot Guy Gullick later thanked a hospitality worker, saying, “You showed the world what kindness, compassion and humanity looks like.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ slightly on the exact passenger count: some cite ? 6,900 individuals, while others round to ? 7,000. Both figures appear in official commemorations, but a definitive tally has not been published.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The pilot came on and said that United States airspace was closed and we were being diverted to Canada. That's all we knew,” — Linda Kloss
- “I think we made the right decisions,” — David Collenette, former transportation minister
- “You showed the world what kindness, compassion and humanity looks like,” — Guy Gullick
- “There is still a place in the world where people are still decent to each other, and respect each other.” — Claude Elliott
What’s Next
The town will host a 9/11 remembrance ceremony on Friday, featuring Governor General Louise Arbour and U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra. A special service at St. Stephen’s Parish in nearby Stephenville will also be held, and the Heritage Minute on Gander’s 9/11 response is now available on YouTube and the Historica Canada website. The musical Come From Away continues its run at the Marriott Theatre through mid-October.
