The Richmond RCMP reported that officers successfully apprehended a suspect who hijacked a small aircraft and subsequently entered the airspace near Vancouver International Airport (YVR), leading to significant flight delays. The incident unfolded on a Thursday, with initial reports indicating that the hijacked aircraft was a Cessna 172.
Witnesses at YVR during the incident contacted 1130 NewsRadio, detailing a heavy police presence on the runway, primarily focused on the Cessna. These eyewitness accounts included descriptions of one individual being taken into custody by law enforcement personnel.
The initial alert to the police occurred at 1:10 p.m. when they received information regarding the hijacked aircraft approaching YVR airspace. In response, multiple RCMP units were dispatched, including the RCMP Air Services and the Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Service, to ensure a thorough and swift response at the airport.
Reena Gacad Kirkpatrick, a spokesperson for YVR, confirmed via email that there was indeed heightened security around the runway. She stated, “Shortly before 1:30 p.m. this afternoon, a security incident involving a small private aircraft in the airspace near YVR prompted a temporary ground stop for arriving aircraft.”
At 1:45 p.m., the hijacked aircraft was safely landed at YVR, and the suspect, who was the only person on board, was arrested without incident, according to the Richmond RCMP.
Authorities revealed that the hijacked aircraft had originated from the Victoria Flying Club. Numerous individuals on planes reported being grounded on the tarmac for an extended period until they were eventually cleared for takeoff. One caller mentioned that their aircraft underwent a security check involving a police dog before departure.
Due to the incident, YVR's flight tracker indicated that several flights had been diverted to alternate airports. Kirkpatrick confirmed that a 39-minute ground stop resulted in nine incoming flights being rerouted to locations such as Comox, Calgary, Abbotsford, Seattle, Edmonton, and Victoria.
Following the resolution of the situation, normal flight operations resumed at YVR, although some delays persisted. Passengers were advised to check directly with their airline or visit yvr.ca for the latest information before heading to the airport.
The Richmond RCMP stated, “This is an active and ongoing investigation with numerous factors still being assessed; as such, no further details can be shared at this time.”
The situation at YVR underscores the importance of security protocols in aviation and the effective response by local law enforcement during critical incidents.
