Pilot arrested after alleged ‘hijacking’ of small aircraft at YVR

July 16, 2025

RED FM News Desk

A small aircraft was allegedly hijacked from Victoria and landed at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on Tuesday afternoon, leading to the arrest of its sole occupant. Many details surrounding the incident remain unknown as authorities continue their investigation.

The drama began around 1 p.m. when a four-seater Cessna aircraft was reportedly taken from the Victoria Flying Club. The plane then flew across the Strait of Georgia and entered YVR airspace. At approximately 1:45 p.m., the aircraft safely landed on a north runway, where the person on board was immediately taken into custody.

Richmond RCMP Cpl. Melissa Lui confirmed that Richmond RCMP, along with the Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Service, the Lower Mainland Integrated Emergency Response Team, and RCMP Air Services, were swiftly deployed to the scene. Communication was established with the YVR Emergency Operation Center to ensure a coordinated response focused on the safety and security of everyone involved.

While Cpl. Lui confirmed that YVR initiated the call to the RCMP, she declined to comment on a possible motive for the alleged hijacking, potential charges, or whether RCMP cruisers had been trailing the Cessna before its landing and the subsequent arrest.

Airport Operations Disrupted

The incident caused significant disruptions at YVR. Stephen Smart, head of communications for the airport authority, stated that NAV Canada implemented a “ground stop” when the situation began. This measure temporarily halted all arrivals into YVR for about 39 minutes.

As a result of the disruption, nine flights were diverted to other airports, including Seattle, Comox, Abbotsford, Edmonton, Calgary, and Victoria. While acknowledging that 39 minutes is not a short period, Smart noted that it was also not an “incredibly long time.”

Airport operations eventually resumed, with the south runway opening first, followed by the north runway. Smart emphasized the strong relationships YVR maintains with NAV Canada, airlines, and other partners, which aids in easing such delays as quickly as possible.

Despite things returning to normal at the airport, Smart advises travelers to continue checking the YVR website for any potential delays or issues before heading to the terminal, especially during the busy summer season.