Latest news with #StephenSmart
CBS News
16-07-2025
- CBS News
Report of hijacked small plane grounds flights at Vancouver International Airport
Travel at one of Canada's busiest airports was briefly halted Tuesday after federal police received a report that a small plane had been hijacked, officials said. Royal Canadian Mounted Police in the western Canadian province of British Columbia said that at 1:10 p.m. local time they received a report that a Cessna 172 "had been hijacked from the Vancouver Island area and was entering into airspace near Vancouver International Airport." "The suspect was the sole occupant of the aircraft," the statement added. In a recording of air traffic control posted to an official can be heard stating: "We have an incident right above our airspace here — a hijacked 172," the Vancouver Sun reported. The plane landed in Vancouver at 1:45 p.m. and the "suspect was arrested without incident," the RCMP said, declining to provide further details. Images published by public broadcaster CBC and video shared online show the small white Cessna surrounded by security vehicles on a runway after landing in Vancouver. The CBC reported the Cessna was operated by a flying club in Victoria, the provincial capital located on Vancouver Island. Witness Paul Heeney told the CBC that he was driving when he noticed a small plane flying low and banking to the right. "A few minutes later, we saw a second pass ... the plane was making a big clockwise circle," he said. Vancouver International Airport said in a statement that nine inbound flights were diverted during the incident with a temporary halt to operations ordered across the airport in the West Coast city. Flights were grounded for 39 minutes. Airport head of communications Stephen Smart told the CBC that it "could have lasted a lot longer." "This is not something that we would experience on a regular basis," Smart said
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Yahoo
Flights grounded at Vancouver Airport after small plane allegedly 'hijacked,' RCMP say
One person has been arrested after a small passenger aircraft was allegedly "hijacked" and landed at Vancouver International Airport Tuesday, according to Richmond RCMP. At about 1:10 p.m. PT on July 15, RCMP say they received reports of a Cessna 172 that had been "hijacked" from Vancouver Island and was entering YVR airspace. Police, along with police dogs and air services, responded. By 1:45 p.m., police say the plane landed safely, and one person, the only person on the plane, was arrested. Nine incoming flights diverted to other airports and flights were grounded at YVR for about half an hour during the incident, which airport officials described as a "security incident." YVR head of communications Stephen Smart said Nav Canada implemented the temporary halt to operations after a small private aircraft was seen circling in the airspace near the airport. Nav Canada confirmed there was a security incident, but would not say more. Witness Paul Heeney was driving toward the Fraser River when he noticed a small plane banking to the right. It was flying low, in airspace a small plane wouldn't usually be in, he said. He wondered if the pilot was in trouble. "A few minutes later, we saw a second pass ... the plane was making a big clockwise circle," he said. According to the Victoria International Airport, the aircraft is operated by the Victoria Flying Club. CBC News has reached out to the flying club for more information. Some flights grounded, others diverted Smart said flights were grounded for 39 minutes, which is "not minor," but said it "could have lasted a lot longer." "This is not something that we would experience on a regular basis," Smart said. However, he added, airport staff rehearse a variety of scenarios regularly to be able to respond to unusual situations. The airport says flights are now operating as usual; however, there may still be some delays. Travellers are being advised to check their flight status directly with airlines. Smart said YVR is working with airlines to get travellers who were diverted to other airports to their intended destinations. Police say their investigation is ongoing and no further details can be released at this time.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Yahoo
Flights grounded at Vancouver Airport after small plane allegedly 'hijacked,' RCMP say
One person has been arrested after a small passenger aircraft was allegedly "hijacked" and landed at Vancouver International Airport Tuesday, according to Richmond RCMP. At about 1:10 p.m. PT on July 15, RCMP say they received reports of a Cessna 172 that had been "hijacked" from Vancouver Island and was entering YVR airspace. Police, along with police dogs and air services, responded. By 1:45 p.m., police say the plane landed safely, and one person, the only person on the plane, was arrested. Nine incoming flights diverted to other airports and flights were grounded at YVR for about half an hour during the incident, which airport officials described as a "security incident." YVR head of communications Stephen Smart said Nav Canada implemented the temporary halt to operations after a small private aircraft was seen circling in the airspace near the airport. Nav Canada confirmed there was a security incident, but would not say more. Witness Paul Heeney was driving toward the Fraser River when he noticed a small plane banking to the right. It was flying low, in airspace a small plane wouldn't usually be in, he said. He wondered if the pilot was in trouble. "A few minutes later, we saw a second pass ... the plane was making a big clockwise circle," he said. According to the Victoria International Airport, the aircraft is operated by the Victoria Flying Club. CBC News has reached out to the flying club for more information. Some flights grounded, others diverted Smart said flights were grounded for 39 minutes, which is "not minor," but said it "could have lasted a lot longer." "This is not something that we would experience on a regular basis," Smart said. However, he added, airport staff rehearse a variety of scenarios regularly to be able to respond to unusual situations. The airport says flights are now operating as usual; however, there may still be some delays. Travellers are being advised to check their flight status directly with airlines. Smart said YVR is working with airlines to get travellers who were diverted to other airports to their intended destinations. Police say their investigation is ongoing and no further details can be released at this time.
