Man charged for hijacking a small plane in Vancouver airspace

On July 15, 2025, a security incident unfolded in Canada when Shaheer Cassim hijacked a Cessna 172 aircraft from Victoria International Airport, located on Vancouver Island. The 39-year-old suspect reportedly threatened a flight instructor to seize control of the plane and then proceeded to fly approximately 40 miles towards Vancouver International Airport. Upon entering the airspace, Cassim circuited above the busy airport, causing significant disruption. Royal Canadian Mounted Police were alerted, leading to a temporary halt in operations at one of Canada's busiest airports, which resulted in the diversion of nine inbound aircraft and delays affecting 143 arriving flights. Shortly after the incident began, the North American Aerospace Defense Command scrambled F-15 fighter jets to monitor the situation. Tower controllers issued warnings to nearby aircraft, with instructions to abort landings and navigate away from the hijacked plane. With the situation keeping passengers and airport personnel on edge, the aircraft eventually landed safely at 1:45 p.m. local time. The police quickly surrounded the plane, ensuring that Cassim, the only occupant, was taken into custody without incident. The investigation revealed that Cassim acted with an ideological motive aimed at disrupting airspace. This was later confirmed by federal police, highlighting Cassim's past involvement in environmental advocacy and his strong beliefs about climate change. Reportedly, he had made alarming social media posts indicating a belief that he was a prophetic figure sent to warn humanity about environmental disasters. The implications of his actions raised serious concerns regarding airport security and the potential risks posed by individuals with radical motives. Following his arrest, Cassim was charged with hijacking, with further charges being considered given the incident's impact and potential classification as terrorism. The events served as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities even in heavily monitored airspaces and prompted discussions among government officials about the need for stringent security measures at airports. As of July 18, 2025, flight operations resumed to normal at Vancouver International Airport, but the incident left behind a lasting impression on aviation safety protocols.