Was suspected B.C. hijacking ’some type of protest’?

VANCOUVER — A conversation involving a Vancouver International Airport air traffic controller suggests the alleged hijacking of a small aircraft that temporarily stopped landings on Tuesday may have been motivated by “some type of protest.”

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The unidentified controller in the air-traffic audio recording tells the pilot of a grounded aircraft that a Cessna is circling about 500 feet over the airport and the situation could last “a couple hours.”

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But the Cessna landed about 10 minutes later, and police say the sole occupant was arrested.

In the air traffic conversation, the grounded pilot of a commercial jet asks why his plane is being held at the gate.

Vancouver air-traffic control had first mentioned a “rogue aircraft” shortly after 1 p.m., asking nearby aircraft to keep an eye out for the Cessna 172 and to inform controllers of any need to “manoeuvre as necessary.”

Police in Richmond, B.C., where the airport is located, said Tuesday the pilot of the Cessna was arrested after the plane landed at about 1:45 p.m., 47 minutes after online flight data showed the aircraft taking off from Victoria International Airport.

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Victoria International Airport said in a statement the Cessna was operated by the Victoria Flying Club.

Vancouver International Airport said flights were operating normally later Tuesday afternoon after a 39-minute “ground stop” for arrivals.

An air traffic controller in the recordings says at about 1:13 p.m. that the pilot of the Cessna stated he had hijacked the aircraft and was heading to Vancouver, and flight data show the plane circling above the airport for about 25 minutes.

The controller and a grounded pilot discuss when such an incident had last occurred, and one of them is heard saying “maybe the ’70s.”

Police did not immediately respond to requests for updates on the case, including the identity of the pilot.

A video posted online on social media showed police cars closing in on the Cessna as it taxis after landing on YVR’s north runway, and the door of the aircraft swinging open before it stops moving.

Another recording of a radio conversation between airport operations for arrivals and departures that occurred while the aircraft was circling above says the suspect “expected to be arrested.”