Canada's Town of Gander Hosted Flight Passengers on 9/11
Thousands of passengers who landed in Gander, Canada, after US airspace was closed wrote a historic story of hospitality through the solidarity of the locals.
Following the closure of US airspace on September 11, 2001, the town of Gander on Newfoundland island in Canada became a safe haven for thousands of passengers and crew members on international flights.
Planes Landing at Gander International Airport
By the end of the day of crisis, thirty-eight international flights landed at Gander International Airport with approximately seven thousand passengers and crew.
During these moments of great unpreparedness, an emergency was declared by the mayor of the time, Claude Elliott.
Mobilization of the Local Population and Shelter
Town residents joined forces to turn schools, churches, community centers, and private homes into shelters for the stranded passengers.
These travelers, dubbed "plane people," were shown great compassion and hospitality by the local community.
Events Inspiring the Musical Come From Away
Volunteers like Gander resident Beulah Cooper took close care of the passengers, providing them access to payphones and hosting some in their homes.
This wave of heartfelt benevolence inspired the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Come From Away, which premiered in 2017.