Update: 4:20 p.m.
Richmond RCMP say the aircraft that was allegedly hijacked was a Cessna 172, a small passenger aircraft.
Police confirmed it was taken from the Vancouver Island area and entered the airspace near YVR.
Personnel who responded to the scene were Richmond RCMP, Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Service, the Lower Mainland Integrated Emergency Response Team, and RCMP Air Services.
"Communication was established with YVR emergency operation centre to ensure a coordinated response focused on the safety and security of all involved," said Cpl. Melissa Lui, media relations officer with Richmond RCMP.
The plane landed safely at 1:45 p.m., and the suspect and sole occupant of the aircraft was arrested without incident.
"This is an active and ongoing investigation with numerous factors still being assessed," said Lui, noting no further details will be shared at this time.
Update: 3:30 p.m.
An individual has been taken into custody after a police incident caused planes to be grounded at Vancouver International Airport on Tuesday afternoon.
A small private aircraft was observed in the airspace near YVR shortly before 1:30 p.m. on July 15, resulting in a "temporary ground stop" for all planes arriving at the airport.
Richmond RCMP was called to YVR, and once the aircraft landed safely, the lone occupant was taken into custody, according to a statement from a YVR spokesperson.
The 39-minute ground stop impacted nine inbound aircraft that were diverted to alternate airports, the statement said.
"Airlines, YVR, and our partners are working to support getting those passengers to their destinations," said the spokesperson.
Dean Sexton was driving over the Arthur Laing Bridge when he saw a light aircraft "making a crazy last minute manoeuvre super low."
"I work in the airport area and never saw anything like it in my life," said Sexton.
He turned on Live Air Traffic Control Communications to listen in and heard air traffic controllers closing the airspace because of a "pilot protest."
Sexton went to an observation spot near the north runway, where he saw police and customs officials.
"I saw that the aircraft was based out of Victoria and quickly heard from other plane spotters (that) it was a stolen aircraft out of Victoria airport," he said.
In an email to Richmond News, Victoria International Airport said an aircraft operated by the Victoria Flying Club "has been safely resolved."
"The aircraft has landed and the individual involved has been apprehended by the RCMP," said the statement.
"We thank the RCMP, NAV CANADA, the Victoria Flying Club, and our on-site teams for their coordinated response."
Flight operations at YYJ and YVR have returned to normal. Passengers are encouraged to check with their airlines for the latest updates.
YVR staff said delays are possible.
The Richmond News has reached out to Richmond RCMP for more information.
Original: 3 p.m.
Several flights are delayed and even diverted at Vancouver International Airport on Tuesday afternoon due to a police incident.
Multiple videos posted to social media show police vehicles surrounding an aircraft on the taxiway at YVR around 2:15 p.m.
More than 10 flights scheduled to arrive between 12 and 2:30 p.m. have been delayed for at least an hour, according to YVR's website.
A flight tracker website shows two flights from Toronto that were scheduled to arrive around 2 p.m. have been diverted as well.
The Richmond News has reached out to YVR and Richmond RCMP for more information.
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