Cops: Airline Pilot Flew 16 Years Without Proper License

Police allege Air Canada pilot forged airline transport license back in 2009

By John Johnson withNewser.AI

Posted Jun 9, 2026 1:56 PM CDT

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Airline Pilot Allegedly Flew 16 Years Without Proper License — Air Canada planes sit on the runway at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on Aug. 16, 2025. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

For nearly two decades, a man at the controls of some of Air Canada's biggest jets allegedly lacked the top-tier license his job required. Investigators say the newly retired pilot flew more than 900 domestic and international flights as a captain between 2009 and 2025 without an airline transport pilot license, the credential mandated to command large passenger aircraft, reports NBC News. Authorities allege the pilot forged that particular license when he was promoted to captain, and it wasn't caught until a routine inquiry last year, per the BBC.

"This is very similar to a doctor that is licensed to practice family medicine, but is doing brain surgery in their office," says Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich. Air Canada pulled him from service as soon as the allegation surfaced, and the pilot retired earlier this year. He was arrested earlier this month and faces seven charges, including fraud and creating forged documents. The airline says the pilot always held a valid commercial license, completed recurrent training, and passed regular flight checks, insisting that "safety was not compromised."

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