From humble origins Gander International Airport became one of the busiest in the world. Its fortunes have been a_ ected by war, international politics and changing aeronautical technology. Jack Pinsent tells the story of this pioneering Canadian gateway.
Gander International Airport is situated on the eastern side of the island of Newfoundland, an ideal stopping point for flights between Europe and North America. It grew to be a vital part of the world’s air networks because of the limitations of aircraft range.
In the 1930s, with interest growing in transatlantic flight spurred by pioneering aviators such as Charles Lindbergh, the British government developed a plan to use Newfoundland, as the closest point in North America, for refuelling purposes. In September 1935, they met with the Irish, Newfoundland, Canadian and American governments to establish an agreement for reciprocal flying permissions. It should be noted that at the time, Newfoundland was its own separate country, closely aligned with Great Britain, before joining Canada in 1949. Ireland and Newfoundland were considered to be the two anchor points for the Atlantic crossing.
FLYING BOATS AND LANDPLANES
A land-based airport was the only p…
