Question Period Note: Russian charter flight landing in Yellowknife

Violation of Canadian airspace / CBSA

• Transport Canada is aware of a charter aircraft that landed in Yellowknife on March 1, 2022 carrying two Russian Foreign Nationals.
• Transport Canada is working with the Canada Border Services Agency to assess this matter. Transport Canada will review whether there has been any violation of the recently announced Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) prohibiting Russian aircraft (owned, charted, or certified) from operating in Canadian airspace.
• At this time, the aircraft is restricted to the Yellowknife Airport, pending Transport Canada’s assessment.
• Potential consequences and enforcement actions will be determined based on the facts and Transport Canada will not hesitate to take action should it be determined that the operator or individuals on the flight were not compliant with the Canadian Aviation Regulations.

• On March 1, 2022 Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) advised Transport Canada (TC) of a aircraft (VPCVS) that landed in Yellowknife with two Russian Nationals on Board. Further CBSA review has identified that the aircraft may have been chartered by one of the Russian Nationals on board. If this is the case, the aircraft would have entered Canadian airspace in violation of a recent NOTAM restricting Russian registered or controlled aircraft. TC is working with the RCMP and CBSA to further examining the details of this case to determine if additional actions are warranted.
• At this time, the aircraft has been denied access into Canadian airspace which prevents it from departing Yellowknife.

Location: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories