Latest news with #AzharAkhtar
New York Post
4 days ago
- New York Post
Pilot with ‘ideological motive' hijacks plane, forces multiple flights to reroute away from Vancouver
A stolen plane triggered a major security incident at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on Tuesday afternoon, temporarily halting operations and forcing multiple flights to reroute. Just before 1:30 p.m. local time on July 15, a 'security incident' involving a small private plane led to a temporary halt in airport operations, according to a statement from YVR. The plane, flying within YVR's airspace, forced nine incoming flights to reroute to different airports. At approximately 1:45 p.m., following a 39-minute air traffic suspension, the Cessna 172, operated by a single individual, safely landed. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) then apprehended the pilot. In an air traffic control recording obtained by the Vancouver Sun via a controller alerted other pilots: 'We do have an aircraft that has been hijacked and is in the vicinity of the airport … just in case anything starts heading toward [you], you have the ability to move at your discretion.' 'They are currently flying overhead,' a voice from air traffic control can be heard saying. 'At this time, I have no further updates. We have the aircraft in visual range—please stand by for further instructions.' Later, air traffic controllers instructed grounded aircraft to remain on standby during the ongoing situation: 'We're not certain what will happen next. The aircraft continues to circle above, and its intentions remain unknown. For now, we are holding position.' RCMP later confirmed that the aircraft had been taken from Victoria International Airport and had flown around 40 miles into Vancouver's airspace. 3 Operations were temporarily halted at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) earlier this week after a small aircraft was stolen. Azhar Akhtar via Storyful A spokesperson for Vancouver Airport Authority said in a statement to Fox News Digital that the issue involving a plane from the Victoria Flying Club had been resolved without injury. 'Safety and security are our top priorities, and we continually review our processes and procedures in service of our operation, our passengers, and our airline customers,' the statement read. 'Following any significant situation or emergency operations activation and as part of our standard procedures, we debrief on what took place and make recommendations for changes or improvements where necessary.' One eyewitness, speaking to CBC, described seeing the low-flying aircraft and suspected something was wrong. 3 YVR released a statement that the incident occurred just before 1:30 p.m. local time and forced nine incoming flights to change course and land at different airports. Azhar Akhtar via Storyful 'A few minutes later, the plane made a second pass, circling in a wide clockwise turn,' eyewitness Paul Heeny told CBC. On July 16, RCMP revealed the identity of the pilot as 39-year-old Shaheer Cassim, who now faces a hijacking charge. Authorities allege he threatened a flight instructor at YYJ before taking control of the aircraft. 3 Shaheer Cassim faces a hijacking charge. Facebook/Shaheer Cassim RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Tammy Lobb said in a press release that the suspect appeared to have an 'ideological motive' aimed at disrupting air traffic. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Police noted that the investigation is still in its early stages and remains active. British Columbia's Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Garry Begg, praised the swift actions of first responders. 'Grateful for the professionalism shown by police, air traffic control, and airport staff during today's incident,' he posted on X. 'Relieved there were no injuries and that normal operations have resumed.' The airport says flights have resumed at YVR, though minor delays may persist. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates. Fox News Digital reached out to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police but did not immediately receive a response.
Global News
6 days ago
- Global News
Video shows moment suspect arrested at YVR for alleged hijacking of small plane
Video taken at Vancouver International Airport on Tuesday afternoon captured the moment a suspect was arrested for the alleged hijacking of a small plane on Vancouver Island and eventually landing it at YVR. Footage from ground support worker Azhar Akhtar shows armed police apprehending a man on the ground at YVR. The suspect has not been named and his motive remains unclear at this time. Richmond RCMP said they initially received a report at 1:10 p.m. on Tuesday that a Cessna 172, a small passenger aircraft, had been hijacked from the Vancouver Island area and was entering into airspace near YVR. The suspect was the lone occupant on board. Audio from air traffic control warned other pilots in the area. 'We do have an aircraft that has been hijacked that is in the vicinity of the airport,' the message says. Story continues below advertisement 'I'm just going to let you know that so that you can continue looking out the window. It's a 172. And just in case anything starts heading towards you, you'll have the ability to move at your discretion.' 2:21 NORAD alerted to small plane 'hijacking' incident at Vancouver airport The Victoria Flying Club owns the plane. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Global News learned that an instructor was with the aircraft at some point but was not injured. The Cessna took off from Victoria Airport just before 1 p.m. with only the unauthorized pilot on board. He headed across the Salish Sea, almost directly to YVR, and circled the airport at low altitude, between 600 and 1,000 feet, according to Air traffic control audio confirmed that an aircraft with the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) was en route, indicating officials were preparing to have fighter jets intercept the plane. Story continues below advertisement The Canadian military confirmed that F-15s were scrambled but the rogue pilot landed at YVR before the fighter jets arrived. He got out with his hands up and was arrested on the north runway. In a statement on Tuesday, Vancouver airport officials said, '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. RCMP responded, the aircraft landed safely, and the lone occupant was taken into custody.' 'During the 39-minute ground stop for arrivals, nine inbound aircraft were diverted to alternate airports. Airlines, YVR, and our partners are working to support getting those passengers to their destinations.' 1:10 'Hijacked' plane flies from Victoria, circles Vancouver airport, suspect arrested The suspect has not been identified at this time. John Gradek, a faculty lecturer in supply networks and aviation management at McGill University, told Global News he is not surprised more information is not being released. Story continues below advertisement 'That is typical procedure when you have a security threat, which this was a serious breach of airport commercial airport protocol, that there is going to be a lot of investigation, a lot of conversations taking place with law enforcement. RCMP, as well as Transport Canada, not only with the pilot in Vancouver but also with the organization that originated this aeroplane in Victoria,' he said. 'There was some fault in process and in the way in which this person received access to an aircraft, which needs to be examined.' He added that YVR acted 'by the book,' and the ground stop and rerouting of some flights was necessary due to the security threat. 'There is the potential for charges related against this pilot and they are significant,' Gradek said. 'Jail time potentially there as well. So you don't pussyfoot around commercial airspace. It really is designated as commercial airspace because people's lives depend on it.' — with files from Jordan Armstrong, Richard Zussman and Aaron McArthur
