More details have emerged after a small plane that took off from Victoria forced a halt to flight arrivals at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on Tuesday and triggered a military response.
The pilot, now in custody, has been charged with hijacking—an offence that falls under Canada’s terrorism laws.
The suspect, identified as Shaheer Cassim, 39, appeared in court Wednesday afternoon.
According to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, he was formally charged with hijacking, which constitutes a terrorism-related offence under federal law.
Cassim remains in custody and has been ordered to undergo a psychiatric assessment. A day before the suspected hijacking, the former commercial pilot posted on social media, calling himself a “messenger of Allah” sent to save humanity from climate change.
While at the YYJ, it is alleged the suspect threatened a flight instructor and successfully hijacked a Cessna 172—a small passenger aircraft—by taking control of the aircraft.
The plane, owned by the Victoria Flying Club, took off from YYJ at approximately 12:58 p.m. and arrived at YVR around 1:45 p.m.
Flight tracking data shows it flew multiple loops over the airport, leading to a 39-minute ground stop that diverted nine incoming flights.
The incident prompted an immediate response from both Canadian and American military forces. NORAD confirmed F-15 fighter jets were scrambled from the US, while Canadian CF-18 Hornets were also readied.
The Cessna landed safely before either aircraft was deployed.
Richmond RCMP, who arrested the pilot upon landing, said he was the only person aboard.
No further details have been released about what occurred in the air or how the hijacking took place.
“Investigators have determined the suspect acted with an ideological motive to disrupt airspace,” says Sgt. Tammy Lobb, Media Relations Officer with Federal Policing – Pacific Region. “Thankfully, no one was injured during this incident,” added Sgt. Lobb.
The Victoria Flying Club issued a brief statement confirming the aircraft belonged to its fleet but declined to comment further due to the ongoing investigation.
The BC Prosecution Service also referred all questions to the federal prosecution office, which has not yet issued a statement.
The RCMP Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) with Federal Policing – Pacific Region has assumed conduct of this investigation.
Investigators continue to assess the incident, which led to a rare shutdown of one of Canada’s busiest airports and a significant cross-border security response.
