Police to hold update on Air Canada pilot who allegedly flew without required licence

An Air Canada pilot was recently found to have flown hundreds of flights without having one of the required licences, according to Peel Regional Police.

Photo: La Presse canadienne / Christinne Muschi

Peel Regional Police say they will provide an update Tuesday on an investigation into a former airline captain who allegedly flew hundreds of flights without a necessary licence.

The update will include details of a complex fraud investigation dubbed Project Icarus, which involves the pilot, according to police. CBC News will livestream it in this article at 11 a.m. ET.

Few other details have been provided, but Air Canada said in a statement on Monday that safety had not been compromised.

It said the airline's pilots are tested every six months to validate their flying competency. Pilots also undergo a flight check with a certified Transport Canada check-pilot every 12 months.

The airline said the pilot was fully trained, with a valid commercial pilot licence, but did not have an airline transport pilot licence, which is required under Canadian regulations.

Air Canada said upon discovering this, it removed the pilot from active duty and reported the matter to Transport Canada.

The pilot is no longer employed by Air Canada, the airline said.

Air Canada said an audit of its pilots found no other instances of non-compliance. The airline said it would not comment beyond its statement, citing privacy laws and the ongoing investigation.