Stolen Plane Prompts Chaos at Vancouver Airport
A man was arrested after allegedly stealing a small aircraft and flying it into the airspace of Vancouver International Airport (YVR), one of Canada’s busiest airports, triggering a temporary airport lockdown and flight disruptions. The incident occurred on July 15, 2025, around 13:10 local time, when the Richmond Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) received a report that a Cessna 172 belonging to the Victoria Flying Club had been stolen from Vancouver Island and was approaching the Vancouver area.
The aircraft, piloted solely by the suspect, entered the restricted airspace and landed safely at Vancouver International Airport at 13:45 local time. Richmond RCMP officers arrested the individual immediately upon landing without incident. Authorities swiftly deployed multiple emergency response teams to the scene, including the RCMP Air Services, the Lower Mainland Integrated Emergency Response Team, and the Police Dog Service.
A coordinated response was initiated with YVR’s Emergency Operation Center to manage the unfolding situation. Photos taken by witnesses and shared on X (formerly Twitter) showed police officers surrounding the aircraft and detaining the suspect on the tarmac.
The incursion prompted a 39-minute ground stop for arriving aircraft, during which nine incoming flights were diverted to alternate airports. In a statement, Vancouver airport officials described the event as a “security incident” and confirmed that arriving flights were temporarily halted out of caution.
YVR resumed normal operations shortly after, although airport officials warned that passengers might still face delays and advised them to confirm their flight status with their airlines before heading to the airport.
Police have not disclosed the suspect’s identity or motive, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. Authorities emphasized that multiple aspects of the case are still under review and that further information will be provided when available.
The incident has raised concerns about airport security and the vulnerability of general aviation aircraft, especially those operating from less-secured regional airports. While no injuries or damage were reported, the event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of coordinated emergency responses and airspace surveillance.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and federal aviation officials are expected to continue the investigation into how the aircraft was accessed, whether security protocols were breached at the flying club, and if the suspect had prior flight training. For now, authorities have assured the public that airport operations are stable and that all necessary precautions are being taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
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