by Natasha Lair
Last updated: 9:25 AM ET, Fri January 9, 2026
Gander International Airport (Photo Credit: Facebook)
When two planes were forced to divert to Gander on Wednesday night, the town’s residents sprang into action, shuttling roughly 200 stranded passengers — or “Come From Aways” — from the airport to local hotels, echoing the same generosity that made the town famous after Sept. 11, 2001.
Gander first made headlines when residents opened their homes to thousands of airline passengers stranded there following the 9/11 attacks; the story inspired Come From Away, which continues to resonate on stages around the world and draw visitors to Newfoundland years later.
Former American Airlines captain Beverly Bass honoured at Gander International Airport (Photo Credit: Natasha Lair-McKenty/TravelPulse Canada)
Jackie Freake, assistant manager at Quality Hotel, told The Canadian Press (CP) that she received a call Wednesday evening saying the planes, which had departed from Toronto and Montreal, could not land as scheduled in St. John’s due to bad weather. With only a few cabs available to transport passengers, local volunteers were quickly needed.
RELATED: From Stage to Shore: How 'Come From Away' Is Driving Tourism in Newfoundland
Freake took to social media, posting in a local Facebook group that there were more than 100 people stranded at the airport.
“I didn’t ask anybody to help or anything like that and boom, my phone lit up! It was just, ‘Can we go get them, can we go get them?’” Freake told CP during a interview.
She said all the stranded passengers were settled in their hotel rooms within an hour of her Facebook post.
Local resident, Colleen Edwards, who had an infant at the time of the 9/11 diversions, told CP it was natural for her to help. Back in 2001, she donated baby supplies to passengers with small children. Today, she volunteered to transport passengers from hotels back to the airport.
Officials at Gander airport estimated about 200 passengers were stranded between the two planes.
RELATED: Cunard to Offer At-Sea Production of 'Come From Away'
The term “Come From Away” itself reflects a deeper truth about Newfoundland hospitality: it’s how locals refer to anyone not from the island — and how, in times of need, strangers become neighbours.
“The town just pulled together, God love ‘em," Freake added. "It was just overwhelming, how many people showed up. I really think that if you went in any small community in Newfoundland, this is what would happen."
The outpouring of community support comes as the town’s tourism and identity continue to be shaped by Gander’s global reputation as a symbol of humanity - a small town with a historic airport and an oversized heart that set the tone for a story unlike any other.
TravelPulse Canada visited Gander last summer to explore the real-life story behind the Broadway musical, Come From Away, and experience the hospitality first-hand. Read the full story here.
Come From Away, Gander (Photo Credit: Natasha Lair-McKenty/TravelPulse Canada)
Topics From This Article to Explore
