A staff member pushes luggage carts outside Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C., on Thursday, December 31, 2020. The Canadian Press
A former commercial pilot is facing serious charges after a dramatic incident involving a small aircraft caused a security scare at Vancouver’s main airport. The man allegedly took a Cessna 172 plane without permission and flew from Victoria to Vancouver, where he circled the airport before landing.
The plane took off from Victoria just before 1 p.m. on Tuesday. It belonged to the Victoria Flying Club. Flight data showed it flew directly to Vancouver and circled low in the sky for about 25 minutes.
Due to this unexpected activity, all incoming flights to Vancouver International Airport were put on hold for nearly 40 minutes.
Police and Military Take Action
Police officers rushed to the runway as the plane landed around 1:45 p.m. Videos shared online show the pilot stepping out of the aircraft with his hands raised while armed officers surrounded the scene.
The pilot has been identified as Shaheer Cassim, a former airline pilot based in Victoria. In the past, Cassim was active in climate protests and once biked across Canada to raise awareness about global warming.
Following the incident, NORAD confirmed it sent out F-15 fighter jets in response to the suspected hijack. Additional F-18 jets were also prepared, but the Cessna landed before any interception took place.
A NORAD spokeswoman confirmed that the fighter jets did not need to intervene because the small plane had already landed.
Court Charges and Possible Motive
Authorities have now charged Cassim with hijacking and terrorism-related offenses. The Public Prosecution Service of Canada confirmed these charges through a court case file.
Although the RCMP has not given a clear motive, a conversation between an air traffic controller and a grounded commercial pilot points to a possible protest. The air traffic controller described the situation as “some type of protest” and warned it might last a couple of hours. However, the incident ended soon after that conversation.
Another radio recording between airport staff revealed the pilot "expected to be arrested," suggesting he knew what would follow.
Airport Responds and Investigation Continues
The airport described the situation as a 39-minute “ground stop” for arrivals. Air traffic controllers had warned nearby pilots about a “rogue aircraft” in the area and told them to stay alert.
The Victoria Flying Club confirmed the plane involved was theirs. However, they said they could not share further details since the investigation is ongoing.
Authorities are still reviewing the case. No injuries were reported, and all flights resumed shortly after the incident ended.
