A security incident involving a small aircraft at Vancouver International Airport triggered significant disruptions.
The situation began shortly before 1:30 p.m., when a small plane entered the airspace near YVR, prompting a response from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). In a statement to CTV News, an airport spokesperson confirmed that the aircraft landed safely and that the pilot—believed to be the sole occupant—was taken into custody.
Footage shared on social media shows at least five RCMP vehicles positioned behind a light aircraft, possibly a Cessna, on the runway.
One witness on X claimed the plane was “chased on the runway” before the pilot eventually stopped and exited.
The incident forced the airport to implement a ground stop for all arriving flights, temporarily preventing both domestic and international flights from departing for Vancouver. The ground stop lasted approximately 39 minutes, during which time nine inbound flights were diverted to alternate airports.
“Airlines, YVR, and our partners are working to assist impacted passengers in reaching their destinations,” the spokesperson said, noting that operations had resumed, but residual delays were still possible.
Norad says it scrambled F-15 fighter jets in response to the alleged hijacking of a small aircraft on Tuesday that disrupted operations at Vancouver International Airport.
A spokeswoman for the North American Aerospace Defence Command says additional F-18 fighters were also being readied to respond, but the Cessna landed at YVR before those planes were deployed.
