Q Essay: What to do with Gander and Mirabel airports
What fate will befall two of Canada's striking but underused airports?
Jian dedicates his essay to two of Canada's most original airports, Newfoundland's Gander International Airport and Montréal-Mirabel International Airport.
The two terminals embody Canada's aviation history and have rich histories of their own, says Jian. But as traffic to the airports plummeted, the two became increasingly irrelevant and costly to maintain. Now both are on the chopping block.
Regardless of their fate, Jian suggests they might remind us of "a time when we weren't afraid to dream big and make mistakes".
"Time may have passed the two airports by, but they serve as quiet reminders that at the dawn of the jet age Canada built bold, creatively vibrant airports that welcomed the world. Maybe that's enough reason to keep them standing," he says, "to remember that moment in time, that golden-age of travel, and to pay tribute to all those that flew."
Have you ever visited either airport? What do you think should be done with the faded gems?
"Time may have passed the two airports by, but they serve as quiet reminders that at the dawn of the jet age Canada built bold, creatively vibrant airports that welcomed the world. Maybe that's enough reason to keep them standing," he says, "to remember that moment in time, that golden-age of travel, and to pay tribute to all those that flew."
Have you ever visited either airport? What do you think should be done with the faded gems?