Gander International Airport has received a surge in traffic as the global humanitarian efforts in earthquake-ravaged Haiti continue in force.

The airport is scheduled to see a flurry of aircraft chartered by international relief bodies, stopping for fuel en route to Port-Au-Prince as passenger and cargo aircraft from Russia, Norway, Switzerland, France and the Ukraine carry rescue workers, medicines, food and other relief supplies.

Dion Faulkner, General Manager of Allied Aviation, the ground handling at Gander, said their office has "been inundated with requests for technical stop set-ups. We’re trying to get these aircraft serviced, refueled and back in the air as fast as possible to expedite the relief effort."

Gary Vey, President and CEO of the Gander International Airport Authority (GIAA) said it is not unusual for Gander to see a spike in international landings during natural disasters or times of political strife.

"When the world is called upon to respond collectively to disasters in the Caribbean, South America or even overseas, we generally accommodate an unusual level of traffic. "We saw the same thing immediately after Hurricane Jeanne," he said. "The situation in Haiti, between the casualties and the estimated 2 million people in need of emergency supplies, is heart wrenching."

Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney agreed to exempt foreign nationals who are directly responding to, or affected by, the humanitarian situation in Haiti and will transit through Canada on a non-commercial aircraft for the sole purpose of refueling and/or making a technical stop from the requirement to obtain a temporary resident visa. This special measure will serve to help more aircraft to refuel or make technical stops in Canada on their way to or from Haiti.

For further information, please contact:

Gary Vey, President and CEO
Gander International Airport Authority
(709) 256-6668

Dion Faulkner, General Manager
Allied Aviation
(709) 256-3043