Canadian fighter jets were sent to intercept a private civilian plane that breached restricted airspace over Kananaskis, Alta., where the G7 summit is currently taking place.
CANR implemented final warning protocols following several attempts to capture the pilot’s attention to ensure the plane could land safely under its own power, the RCMP said, noting that the incident was taken “very seriously.”
Const. Lauren Mowbray said those protocols included the jets firing warning flares at the pilot. The plane was then met on the ground by the RCMP and its partners. Mowbray did not say if the pilot will face charges.
Two NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen) of temporary air restrictions over Calgary and Kananaskis were put in place on June 14 at 6 a.m., and will remain in effect until June 17 at 11:59 p.m., police said.
The RCMP did not disclose the origin or landing location of the plane, saying the investigation is still in progress.
“It is every pilot’s responsibility to ensure that there are no restrictions in the air space they intend to fly,” the RCMP said. “These incidents take away resources that could be utilized in police work and securing the summit site.”
The RCMP said earlier this year there would be a controlled access zone around key summit venues from June 10 to June 18, and steps were being taken to deal with new technological threats, such as the weaponization of drones.
Security is being run by an integrated group based in Calgary. It includes the RCMP, the Calgary Police Service, Alberta sheriffs, Alberta conservation officers, and the Canadian Armed Forces.
“The safety and security of all world leaders attending the G7 Summit in Kananaskis and residents and visitors in the surrounding areas continue to be the top priority for the RCMP ISSG, Government of Canada departments and its partners,” the press release said.
The G7 is made up of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Leaders from these countries will be in attendance as will some leaders of non-member countries, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This year’s summit will mark the 50th anniversary of the G7 and the second time the event has been held in Kananaskis.
Canada has played host to the summit six times since 1975 when the G7 was founded. The event was last held in Canada in 2018 in Charlevoix, Que.
