RCMP arrest alleged hijacker at Vancouver airport after airspace shut down

RCMP say they've arrested the pilot of a small aircraft that was allegedly hijacked from Victoria and flown to Vancouver International Airport, where other flights had to be temporarily halted.

RCMP in Richmond, B.C., say in a statement that a report came in just after 1 p.m. Tuesday about a Cessna that "had been hijacked" and was on its way to Vancouver.

Police say the "sole occupant" of the plane was arrested after it touched down.

Social media videos show multiple police vehicles on the Vancouver runway behind a single-engine plane, and several officers advancing on the aircraft.

A photo on social media shows a man with a beard dressed in a grey T-shirt and dark pants with his hands up, as three police officers appear to point weapons at him.

Vancouver International Airport says the "security incident" involving a small private aircraft shut down arrivals for 39 minutes, but operations later returned to normal.

The airport says in a statement that the incident occurred in airspace above the airport around 1:30 p.m.

In an air-traffic recording from YVR, a controller in the tower says around 1:26 p.m. that a Cessna 172 had been hijacked.

It warned other aircraft to "continue looking out the window" for the small plane "in case anything starts heading towards you."

"We really don't know what will happen, but this aircraft is just circling overhead," the controller says a few minutes later.

"And we don't know, of course, their intention."

Online flight path data for the light aircraft shows it took off from Victoria's airport and landed in Vancouver at 1:43 p.m., after circling around YVR airspace several times.

Victoria International Airport said the aircraft was operated by the Victoria Flying Club, and the incident was "safely resolved."

It said "the individual involved has been apprehended by the RCMP."

The Victoria Flying Club didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Vancouver International Airport said flights were operating normally Tuesday afternoon after the 39-minute "ground stop" for arrivals.

It said nine inbound aircraft were diverted to other airports.

"Airlines, YVR, and our partners are working to support getting those passengers to their destinations," the airport statement said.

"Flights are now operating normally in and out of YVR, however some flight delays are possible and passengers should check directly with their airline or at yvr.ca before coming to the airport."