A 37-year-old man faces multiple serious charges following what authorities describe as an attempted hijacking at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) that caused massive disruptions to air travel throughout the Pacific Northwest.
The incident unfolded Tuesday afternoon when the suspect, identified as Marcus Holloway of Surrey, B.C., allegedly breached security protocols at Terminal 2 and attempted to commandeer a WestJet Boeing 737 preparing for departure to Calgary.
“This represents one of the most serious security breaches at a Canadian airport in recent memory,” said RCMP Inspector Diana Weiss during a press conference Wednesday morning. “Thanks to the swift response of our officers and airport security personnel, the situation was contained before it escalated further.”
According to court documents obtained by CO24 News, Holloway allegedly used falsified credentials to access restricted areas before brandishing what appeared to be an explosive device—later determined to be a sophisticated replica—and attempting to force his way into the aircraft’s cockpit.
Flight attendants and several passengers intervened, restraining the suspect until law enforcement arrived. Three individuals sustained minor injuries during the altercation.
The dramatic incident prompted a six-hour lockdown of YVR’s domestic terminal, affecting more than 120 flights and stranding thousands of travelers. Operations have since returned to normal, though Canada News has learned that enhanced security measures remain in place.
“We’re conducting a comprehensive review of all security protocols,” said Jennifer Morris, YVR’s Chief Security Officer. “While our systems ultimately prevented a tragedy, this incident highlights vulnerabilities that must be addressed immediately.”
Transportation Minister Omar Alghabra announced a comprehensive security review of all major Canadian airports in response to the incident. “The safety of Canadian air travelers is our absolute priority,” Alghabra stated in remarks reported by CO24 Politics. “We will spare no resource in ensuring our airports remain secure.”
Holloway faces charges including attempted hijacking, uttering threats, assault, and possession of a prohibited weapon. Court records indicate he was previously known to police for non-violent offenses.
Aviation security experts note this incident occurs amid growing concerns about airport security vulnerabilities across North America. A recent Transport Canada audit identified potential weaknesses at several major Canadian airports, though specific details remain classified.
“While violent incidents at Canadian airports remain extremely rare, this case demonstrates why constant vigilance is essential,” said aviation security analyst Richard Thompson. “The threat landscape continues to evolve, and our security systems must adapt accordingly.”
As Holloway awaits his first court appearance scheduled for Friday, investigators are still working to determine his motive. The RCMP’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team has joined the investigation, though authorities have not yet indicated any terrorism connections.
As airports worldwide reexamine their security protocols in light of this incident, one question remains particularly troubling: How was an individual with falsified credentials able to penetrate so deeply into one of Canada’s busiest airports before being stopped?
