Hailed worldwide for its hospitality during 9/11, a recent incident involving an emergency landing at Gander International has resulted in an apology from the Canada Border Services Agency.
The CBSA says a request to clear passengers who were on board a United Airlines aircraft diverted to Gander at 1:00 Monday morning “was not appropriately actioned.”
The CBSA was responding after 244 passengers were left stranded in the terminal building for more than 12 hours until a replacement aircraft was sent to pick them up.
The 13 crew of the aircraft were processed by CBSA officers on duty, but the remaining passengers were left in the lounge until the replacement aircraft arrived at 2:45 the following afternoon.
The CBSA is extending its “sincere apologies to the passengers for any inconveniences experienced” and says it is following up to ensure that appropriate action is taken in a timely manner in the future.