The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said Shaheer Cassim, 39, has been charged with hijacking, constituting terrorism, over the incident.

A Canadian man has been charged with hijacking a small plane this week and flying it over one of the busiest airports in Canada, prompting fears he would crash into something and causing flights to be delayed or grounded.

A Cessna 172 was reportedly hijacked from Vancouver Island, disrupting operations at Vancouver Airport. The lone pilot was arrested after landing, causing diversions and security alerts.