<strong>Gander Airport:</strong> This is Gander International Airport in Gander on the island of Newfoundland in Canada -- it's one of the world's most important airports, yet you've probably never heard of it.
Gander Airport: This is Gander International Airport in Gander on the island of Newfoundland in Canada -- it's one of the world's most important airports, yet you've probably never heard of it.
Courtesy Gander Airport Historical Society
<strong>Early roots</strong>: The airport predates the town -- starting life as a military airport and growing to prominence during World War II. Pictured here: the first airport fire truck at Gander circa 1939.
Early roots: The airport predates the town -- starting life as a military airport and growing to prominence during World War II. Pictured here: the first airport fire truck at Gander circa 1939.
Courtesy Gander Airport Historical Society
<strong>Wartime importance</strong>: During World War II, aircraft were ferried from Gander to Europe to aid the war effort. Pictured here: the airport viewed from above in 1944.
Wartime importance: During World War II, aircraft were ferried from Gander to Europe to aid the war effort. Pictured here: the airport viewed from above in 1944.
Courtesy Gander Airport Historical Society
<strong>Pioneering flights:</strong> Newfoundland, Canada, was the jumping off point for many a pioneering flight and the airport grew from these early aviation moments. Pictured here: a DC aircraft in 1946.
Pioneering flights: Newfoundland, Canada, was the jumping off point for many a pioneering flight and the airport grew from these early aviation moments. Pictured here: a DC aircraft in 1946.
Courtesy Gander Airport Historical Society
<strong>Booming business</strong>: Post-war, Gander became a prominent refueling stop for the booming commercial transatlantic flight scene. Pictured here: an SAS Airline flight schedule from 1946.
Booming business: Post-war, Gander became a prominent refueling stop for the booming commercial transatlantic flight scene. Pictured here: an SAS Airline flight schedule from 1946.
Courtesy Gander Airport Historical Society
<strong>Air traffic control:</strong> The airport took on a new lease of life. Pictured here: aircraft controllers at work circa 1948.
Air traffic control: The airport took on a new lease of life. Pictured here: aircraft controllers at work circa 1948.
Courtesy Gander Airport Historical Society
<strong>Stratocruiser</strong>: The Boeing 377 Stratocruiser -- a long-range military aircraft -- parked at Gander Airport.
Stratocruiser: The Boeing 377 Stratocruiser -- a long-range military aircraft -- parked at Gander Airport.
Courtesy Gander Airport Historical Society
<strong>Changing times</strong>: Airlines ran regular transatlantic services via Gander and soon the airport was handling 13,000 aircraft annually. Pictured here: a Canberra jet parked at the airport circa 1953.
Changing times: Airlines ran regular transatlantic services via Gander and soon the airport was handling 13,000 aircraft annually. Pictured here: a Canberra jet parked at the airport circa 1953.
Courtesy Gander Airport Historical Society
<strong>Big numbers</strong>: A quarter of a million passengers passed through Gander each year. Pictured here: the control tower in Gander in 1953.
Big numbers: A quarter of a million passengers passed through Gander each year. Pictured here: the control tower in Gander in 1953.
Courtesy Gander Airport Historical Society
<strong>Control center: </strong>In the late 1950s, the airport opened up a new terminal -- including a new control center, pictured here.
Control center: In the late 1950s, the airport opened up a new terminal -- including a new control center, pictured here.
Courtesy Gander Airport Historical Society
<strong>Royal visit</strong>: The Queen flew to Gander to open the new modernist-chic terminal. Pictured here: United DC aircraft at Gander.
Royal visit: The Queen flew to Gander to open the new modernist-chic terminal. Pictured here: United DC aircraft at Gander.
Courtesy Gander Airport Historical Society
<strong>Pan-Am: </strong>By the late 1950s, the biggest airlines of the day -- including Pan-Am, pictured, ran regular transatlantic services via Gander.
Pan-Am: By the late 1950s, the biggest airlines of the day -- including Pan-Am, pictured, ran regular transatlantic services via Gander.
Courtesy Gander Airport Historical Society
<strong>Connie at Gander:</strong> TWA's Lockheed Constellation "Connie" at Gander Airport. The airplane served as Air Force One for President Eisenhower in the 1950s.
Connie at Gander: TWA's Lockheed Constellation "Connie" at Gander Airport. The airplane served as Air Force One for President Eisenhower in the 1950s.
Courtesy Gander Airport Historical Society
<strong>Aviation success</strong>: In the 1970s, Gander Airport saw less footfall than it did pre-Jet Age, but still played a prominent role.
Aviation success: In the 1970s, Gander Airport saw less footfall than it did pre-Jet Age, but still played a prominent role.
Courtesy Gander Airport Historical Society
<strong>Concorde landing:</strong> This mail envelope commemorates the Concorde's first landing in North America, touching down at Gander in 1974.
Concorde landing: This mail envelope commemorates the Concorde's first landing in North America, touching down at Gander in 1974.
Courtesy Gander Airport Historical Society
<strong>Cold War: </strong>A Soviet Aeroflot IL62 at Gander circa 1974. During the Cold War, USSR airplanes couldn't land in North America and headed to Canada instead.
Cold War: A Soviet Aeroflot IL62 at Gander circa 1974. During the Cold War, USSR airplanes couldn't land in North America and headed to Canada instead.
Courtesy Gander Airport Historical Society
<strong>Airport interior:</strong> The modernist terminal was slightly less in vogue by 1972, but still striking.
Airport interior: The modernist terminal was slightly less in vogue by 1972, but still striking.
Courtesy Gander Airport Historical Society
<strong>Super Guppy:</strong> An Aero Spacelines Super Guppy at Gander Airport. Many Super Guppies can still be seen today in aviation museums across the world.
Super Guppy: An Aero Spacelines Super Guppy at Gander Airport. Many Super Guppies can still be seen today in aviation museums across the world.
Courtesy Gander Airport Historical Society
<strong>Come From Away:</strong> On September 11, 2001, aircraft heading for US airspace were rerouted to Canada -- with 38 airplanes landing in the tiny town of Gander.
Come From Away: On September 11, 2001, aircraft heading for US airspace were rerouted to Canada -- with 38 airplanes landing in the tiny town of Gander.
Courtesy Gander Airport Historical Society
<strong>Coming together</strong>: The jets remained grounded for several days, with passengers experiencing incredible hospitality from Gander residents.
Coming together: The jets remained grounded for several days, with passengers experiencing incredible hospitality from Gander residents.
Courtesy Gander Airport Historical Society