Peel Regional Police in Ontario announced on 9/6 the arrest of Geoffrey Wall, 59, earlier this month following a complex fraud investigation named Project Icarus.

According to police, Wall began his pilot career in 1998 and was promoted to captain in 2009. From that point, he was required to possess an airline transport pilot license (ATPL), the highest certification a civilian pilot can achieve.

Lacking an ATPL, Wall allegedly used a fake license to deceive Air Canada and Transport Canada, police stated. From 2009 to 2025, he completed over 900 domestic and international flights, transporting tens of thousands of passengers on Boeing 767, 777, and 787 aircraft, while earning nearly 3 million Canadian dollars in salary with the fraudulent captain's license.

An Air Canada aircraft in Barcelona, Spain, on 25/4. Photo: AFP

"This is very similar to someone only licensed as a general practitioner, but performing brain surgery right in their clinic," said police official Nick Milinovich.

During his 27-year career, Wall also held several positions at the Air Canada Pilots Association, including president of the senior executive council, the association's governing body. He retired in 2025.

Wall faces charges including fraud, false reporting, and using forged documents.

In a statement on 8/6, Air Canada said it views the matter as extremely serious, but confirmed that flight safety was not affected. The airline affirmed that pilots are checked every six months to confirm their flight proficiency and must undergo check flights with Transport Canada examiners every 12 months. After discovering Wall did not possess an ATPL, the airline suspended his flying duties and reported the incident to Transport Canada.

Duc Trung (According to CBC, Guardian, AFP)