Man Hijacks Plane, Cites Ideological Motive
Light Aircraft Diversion Halts Vancouver Airport Arrivals
A former pilot accused of hijacking a small aircraft and flying it to Vancouver International Airport did so with an “ideological motive to disrupt airspace,” authorities revealed Wednesday. The incident prompted a temporary closure of the airport’s arrival gates.
Terrorist Offence Charge Filed
Shaheer Cassim, 39, faces a charge of hijacking, which the Public Prosecution Service of Canada has classified as a “terrorist activity” and a “terrorist offence.” He is slated to appear in court next Tuesday in Richmond, B.C.
Cassim, identified as a former commercial pilot with ties to Victoria, has a history of climate activism. Social media images suggest a resemblance to the man apprehended at Vancouver’s airport.
Climate Activism Past
In 2012, Cassim publicly advocated for climate action, organizing a cross-country bicycle journey. He previously worked for KD Air, a now-defunct regional airline. Former owners Lars and Diana Banke described him as an exceptionally intelligent pilot who held apocalyptic views on the environment.
“He was really, really, smart,” Lars Banke stated. “His intelligence was a problem.”
—Lars Banke, Former Owner, KD Air
Cassim reportedly left his pilot career to pursue medical studies. The Bankes last heard from him approximately two years ago.
NORAD Scrambles Jets
The Cessna 172, operated by the Victoria Flying Club, departed Victoria Airport shortly before 1 p.m. Tuesday. It circled Vancouver airspace for about 25 minutes before landing. NORAD confirmed that F-15 fighter jets were deployed as a precautionary measure. However, the intercepted aircraft landed before any aerial engagement occurred.
An air traffic control recording suggests the flight was intended as a protest, with one controller noting the suspect “expected to be arrested.” The incident caused a 39-minute “ground stop” for arrivals at YVR.
Air traffic control initially identified the aircraft as a “rogue aircraft” shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday, instructing nearby planes to monitor its movements. The Victoria Flying Club has declined to provide further details due to the ongoing investigation.
