Former Air Canada pilot flew hundreds of flights without proper license, police say

Key Points:

• A former Air Canada pilot allegedly flew commercial planes for nearly 17 years without holding the required airline transport pilot license (ATPL), according to Ontario police following a fraud and forgery investigation named "Project Icarus."
• The pilot, who was promoted to captain in 2009, reportedly forged the necessary license and flew Boeing 767, 777, and 787 jets on over 900 domestic and international flights, carrying tens of thousands of passengers.
• The investigation began after anomalies were found during a routine credential evaluation in March 2025, leading to the pilot's arrest on June 1; he faces charges including fraud, uttering forged documents, and public mischief.
• Air Canada stated that safety was not compromised, emphasizing that all pilots undergo mandatory recurrent training and that the pilot was removed from active duty after the issue was uncovered; the airline also noted the importance of the ATPL licensing requirement.
• Authorities believe no other individuals were involved in the scheme, and the pilot retired early in 2025; the Air Line Pilots Association confirmed the matter is under ongoing investigation.