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“compiled: Elmili TK”
A dramatic aviation scare unfolded Tuesday afternoon when a man allegedly hijacked a small aircraft on Vancouver Island and entered restricted airspace near Vancouver International Airport (YVR), prompting a brief shutdown and multiple flight disruptions.
RCMP responded swiftly around 1:10 p.m. after air traffic controllers reported a Cessna 172 approaching YVR without authorization. The suspect, believed to be the only occupant on board, reportedly claimed over the radio to have hijacked the plane, which originated from the Victoria Flying Club.
The aircraft safely landed at YVR around 1:45 p.m., where multiple RCMP vehicles converged on the tarmac. Social media footage shows officers tailing the Cessna down the runway before the pilot brought it to a halt. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.
“This is an active and ongoing investigation,” Richmond RCMP said in a brief statement, declining to provide further details due to the complexity of the case.
In response to the incursion, YVR temporarily issued a 39-minute ground stop for all incoming flights, diverting nine aircraft to alternate airports. While normal operations resumed shortly after, ripple effects were felt across the region, with numerous delays and several cancellations recorded.
Victoria International Airport (YYJ) also experienced a related disruption involving a plane from the same flying club. While authorities have not confirmed a direct link, officials at YYJ stated the “individual involved” was arrested and the situation “safely resolved.”
Passengers at both airports faced delays throughout the afternoon as airlines worked to reroute and rebook affected travelers.
The rare airspace breach has raised serious questions about security at regional flight clubs and small aircraft oversight. Authorities have yet to clarify the suspect’s motives or how the plane was commandeered.
As investigators piece together the timeline, travelers and airport staff alike are breathing a sigh of relief that a potential crisis ended without harm.
