Man pleads guilty in YVR hijacking that halted flights last summer

A man charged in last year’s security incident at Vancouver International Airport has pleaded guilty to two charges, marking a new development in a case that triggered a 39-minute ground stop for arrivals and diverted nine inbound aircraft.

PAX previously reported on the July 15, 2025 incident at YVR.

Shaheer Cassim, a former commercial pilot, admitted in provincial court in Richmond to hijacking an aircraft and interfering with the operation of Vancouver International Airport, according to CTV News.

The case stems from the July 15, 2025 incident, when a flight instructor at Victoria International Airport was threatened and a Cessna was taken and flown toward Vancouver. 

As the plane entered airspace near YVR, the airport imposed a temporary ground stop for arriving aircraft.

At the time, nine inbound flights were diverted, and military response protocols were activated. U.S. fighter jets were deployed while Canada’s CF-18s prepared for takeoff.

Cassim, speaking to CTV News by phone from custody, apologized for the disruption and said he had not realized flights were diverted.

He also said he circled for about 15 minutes despite having enough fuel to remain in the air much longer.

In court, defence lawyer Mo Vayeghan said he will seek a psychiatric assessment, citing a history of serious mental health issues, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Cassim told CTV News he carried out the act to draw attention to climate concerns.

He remains in custody and is due back in court later in May. 

Hijacking carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

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