Gander International Airport

Gander International Airport sits on the northeastern coast of Newfoundland, 3 kilometres from the town that shares its name. Originally built as a Royal Canadian Air Force base during the Second World War, it became a critical refuelling stop for transatlantic flights in the decades that followed. Today it handles a fraction of that traffic, serving a mix of cargo, charter, and scheduled passenger flights to regional destinations and seasonal routes. The terminal is compact, functional, and layered with echoes of an era when Gander was one of the busiest airports in the world.

Getting There

Gander International Airport is located about 3 kilometres north of downtown Gander, a short drive via the Trans-Canada Highway. Most visitors arrive by car, either rental or personal vehicle. Rental car desks are located inside the terminal, with major agencies like Avis and Enterprise operating on site. Taxis are available from the town centre; fares run roughly $15 to $20 and take about five minutes. There is no direct public bus service to the airport, though some hotels in Gander offer courtesy shuttles to and from the terminal—check with your accommodation ahead of time. For those driving, the airport has a well-maintained parking lot with both short-term and long-term options, and the wheelchair-accessible car park confirmed on site means passengers with mobility needs can park close to the entrance.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal at Gander International Airport is a single, modest building that handles both arrivals and departures. On entering, passengers find a small check-in area with counters for the airlines serving the airport, including Air Canada and WestJet. Security screening is efficient, with lines rarely long except during the busiest times—Monday and Tuesday afternoons around 1 pm to 2 pm—when it pays to arrive an hour before departure. Beyond security, the departures lounge offers basic seating, a washroom with wheelchair-accessible toilet and a changing table, and a view of the tarmac and runways. There is one small café serving coffee, snacks, and limited hot food; hours vary with flight schedules. The entire terminal is wheelchair-accessible, with level entry, wide corridors, and accessible toilets confirmed. Wi-Fi is free but can be slow; downloading entertainment ahead of time is recommended. The atmosphere is quiet and unhurried, a contrast to larger hubs, but passengers should be prepared for limited dining and shopping options.

Gander International Airport (YQX) and Gander

Gander International Airport is inseparable from the town it serves. The airport’s strategic location on the Great Circle route between North America and Europe made it a vital refuelling stop in the early days of transatlantic aviation. At its peak in the 1950s and 1960s, Gander was one of the busiest airports in the world, handling hundreds of flights a day. That legacy is visible in the terminal’s mid-century architecture, with its sweeping roofline and large windows, and in the memorabilia housed in the North Atlantic Aviation Museum, located just a few minutes from the airport. The museum displays aircraft, engines, and artefacts from the airport’s golden age, including exhibits on the 1940s ferry command flights and the Cold War era.

The airport’s most famous chapter came in 2001, when Gander hosted 6,600 stranded passengers from 38 flights diverted during the 9/11 attacks. The town’s response—opening schools, churches, and homes to the unexpected guests—became a story of extraordinary hospitality, later memorialised in the musical “Come from Away.” Today, that spirit remains part of the town’s identity, and visitors are often struck by the friendliness of locals. Gander itself is a small town of about 11,000 people, with a handful of hotels, restaurants, and shops along the Trans-Canada Highway. Attractions include the Gander Heritage Trail, a walking path through woodlands and wetlands, and the nearby Cobb’s Pond Rotary Park, popular for birdwatching and walking. The region is also a base for hunting and fishing expeditions into the Newfoundland wilderness. For many travellers, Gander is a transit point, but the town and its airport offer a genuine slice of Newfoundland culture and history.

Practical Information

Gander International Airport is not open 24 hours a day; its operating hours correspond to flight schedules, typically from early morning until late evening. The busiest times are Monday and Wednesday at 1 pm, and Tuesday at 2 pm. For current flight information and terminal hours, check the official website at www.ganderairport.com or call +1 709-256-6677. The airport is wheelchair-accessible throughout, with accessible parking, entrance, and toilets, and a changing table in the washroom. Tips: If you have a layover, bring your own snacks, as food options are limited. For quick exits, sit near the front of the plane; the terminal is small and luggage arrives rapidly. Finally, take a moment to look at the historical photographs in the arrivals area—they tell the story of a place that once connected the world.