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Hijacked Cessna Triggers Ground Stop and Arrest at Vancouver International Airport

Regulators are reviewing small-aircraft security protocols after the hijacked plane forced an airport shutdown

A worker moves luggage trolleys outside Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C., on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Richmond RCMP officers on the scene at Vancouver International Airport on Tuesday afternoon.
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Overview

  • The Cessna 172, used for training by the Victoria Flying Club, was reported hijacked from Victoria International Airport and entered Vancouver airspace
  • YVR air traffic control imposed a 39-minute ground stop for arrivals and diverted nine inbound flights to alternate airports
  • Richmond RCMP and airport police secured a safe landing at 1:45 p.m. and arrested the lone occupant without incident
  • Normal operations at Vancouver International resumed shortly after the ground stop, though minor delays persist as airlines reroute affected passengers
  • Transport Canada and Nav Canada have launched immediate reviews of general aviation security measures for small private aircraft