Air Canada Pilot Flew Hundreds of Flights Without Required Licence
Air Canada has confirmed that a former pilot operated hundreds of flights without holding the required licence for the position, prompting a major fraud investigation by authorities.
The case emerged as part of an investigation known as Project Icarus, led by Peel Regional Police. Officials are expected to provide further details during a scheduled briefing.
According to Air Canada, the pilot had been promoted to captain but did not possess the mandatory Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) required for the role. The airline said the issue was discovered during internal checks, after which the pilot was immediately removed from duty and reported to Transport Canada.
Despite the licensing violation, Air Canada stressed that passenger safety was never compromised. The pilot held a valid Commercial Pilot Licence and had successfully completed all required training, competency assessments, and flight checks.
Transport Canada has imposed a monetary penalty on the former pilot, who is no longer employed by the airline. Public records indicate the individual could face significant fines for multiple regulatory violations.
Air Canada said it takes licensing compliance seriously and noted that pilots undergo regular training, annual flight evaluations, and routine licence verification checks. An internal review reportedly found no similar cases within the company.
The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) also reaffirmed its commitment to safety and regulatory compliance but declined further comment due to the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are expected to release additional information as the investigation continues.
