Stolen Plane Triggers 39-Minute Shutdown, Nine Flight Diversions at Vancouver Airport

On Tuesday, July 15, Vancouver International Airport temporarily shut down its airspace after a Cessna 172 aircraft was stolen from Victoria International Airport and hijacked. The plane flew approximately 40 miles north to Vancouver, where it circled at low altitude, prompting air traffic controllers to halt incoming flights and divert nine planes, including a WestJet Boeing 737 that aborted its landing. The suspect, the sole occupant of the aircraft, safely landed at Vancouver International and was arrested without incident. The incident caused a 39-minute ground stop for arriving flights, but authorities have not disclosed the suspect's motive. Witnesses described the plane performing radical turns while circling, raising concerns among observers and air traffic controllers. Flight operations resumed shortly after the arrest, with some delays expected due to the security response.