In a shocking disruption at Vancouver International Airport yesterday, former commercial pilot James Langley attempted to commandeer an Air Canada flight, claiming he was on a divine mission to raise awareness about climate change. The 58-year-old self-proclaimed “messiah” was subdued by crew members and passengers before the aircraft departed the terminal.
“He burst into the cockpit shouting about how the world was ending and that he was chosen to deliver a message,” said Flight Captain Sarah Chen, who was preparing the Boeing 737 for departure to Calgary. “He was insistent that the plane would be used as a platform for his climate message.”
According to police reports obtained by CO24 News, Langley had been planning the hijacking for months. Investigators discovered journals in his North Vancouver apartment detailing his growing obsession with climate disasters and his belief that commercial aviation was accelerating environmental collapse.
Transport Canada officials confirmed that Langley’s commercial pilot license had been revoked three years ago following concerns about his mental health. Former colleagues described a noticeable shift in his behavior after he returned from fighting wildfires as a volunteer in British Columbia’s interior in 2023.
“James was never the same after witnessing the devastation firsthand,” said Michael Torres, who worked alongside Langley for eight years. “He became increasingly convinced that conventional approaches to addressing climate change were insufficient.”
The incident has raised significant questions about airport security protocols. Despite having his credentials revoked, Langley was able to access restricted areas using outdated identification and intimate knowledge of airport operations. The Canada News desk has learned that Transport Minister Emily Richardson has ordered an immediate review of security procedures at all major Canadian airports.
Climate psychologists note that eco-anxiety is becoming increasingly common, though rarely manifests in such extreme behavior. Dr. Amara Patel from the University of British Columbia told CO24 Politics, “We’re seeing a rise in climate grief and desperation, particularly among those who have witnessed environmental destruction firsthand. However, this represents an extreme outlier response.”
Court documents reveal that Langley had made several social media posts in the weeks leading up to the incident, referring to himself as “the chosen one” and claiming that “conventional activism has failed the planet.” His manifesto, parts of which were shared with authorities, detailed plans for a “spectacular demonstration that would awaken humanity to impending doom.”
The airline industry has faced mounting criticism from environmental groups for its carbon footprint, but major carriers including Air Canada have committed to ambitious emission reduction targets. Aviation currently accounts for approximately 2.5% of global carbon emissions, according to the International Air Transport Association.
Passengers on board flight AC216 described moments of terror as Langley attempted to take control. “He was ranting about how we were all complicit in destroying the Earth,” said passenger Emma Whitfield. “There was a brief struggle before three passengers and a flight attendant managed to restrain him.”
As Langley awaits his first court appearance on charges of attempted hijacking, endangering aircraft safety, and making terrorist threats, this incident forces us to confront difficult questions: How do we balance legitimate environmental concerns with the need for peaceful advocacy, and what responsibility do we have to identify and support those whose climate anxiety has pushed them toward dangerous extremism?
