KANANASKIS – A private aircraft was intercepted by fighter jets and forced to land after it entered restricted airspace above Kananaskis Country during the G7 Summit, according to police.
The RCMP’s Integrated Safety and Security Group (ISSG) and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) had CF-18 fighter jets intercept and force the civilian aircraft to land Sunday (June 15) at about 11 a.m.
The ISSG stated that the aircraft entered the restricted airspace, which led to the deployment of CF-18s from the Canadian Royal Air Force. A media release stated multiple steps were used to try and gain the civilian pilot’s attention and “final warning measures to contact the pilot and have them safely land under their own power.”
“The RCMP and its ISSG partners take this matter very seriously,” stated a media release from Fraser Logan, ISSG community and media relations lead.
“It is every pilot’s responsibility to ensure that there are no restrictions in the airspace they intend to fly. These incidents take away resources that could be utilized in police work and securing the summit site.”
Police said the incident is under investigation.
Two temporary air restrictions over Calgary and Kananaskis Country began on June 14 and will continue until the end of day June 17 when the G7 Summit ends.
The one restricted area is based on Kananaskis Village and has a radius of 30 nautical miles. The second is Calgary International Airport and has a radius of 20 nautical miles.
