Canadian pilot arrested for flying 900 flights over 16 years with 'fake license’

A case has emerged involving a Canadian airline where a pilot who served as a captain and operated more than 900 flights over a span of 16 years allegedly used an alleged ‘fake license’, as per reports. The alleged fraud was uncovered during a recent investigation, following which the pilot was arrested by authorities.

The pilot, identified as former Air Canada captain Geoffrey Wall, 59, who reportedly flew large passenger aircraft for more than 16 years. He operated wide-body aircraft, including Boeing 767, 777 and 787 jets, transporting thousands of passengers and earning an estimated 3 million Canadian dollars in salary, as per reports.

Beyond his flying duties, he also held several influential positions within the Air Canada Pilots Association and served as chairman of its highest governing council, claimed the reports.

Police reportedly launched an investigation under "Project Icarus" after irregularities in Wall's documentation were found during a routine inspection by Transport Canada at Toronto Pearson Airport last year. 

According to investigators, Wall served as a captain on over 900 domestic and international flights between 2009 and 2025 allegedly without holding the mandatory Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL). It also noted that he was using forged documents to conceal his lack of the required certification.

Air Canada, however, has reportedly said that passenger safety was never compromised, stating that all pilots undergo competency checks every six months and annual flight evaluations. The airline noted that Wall possessed a valid commercial pilot licence and had successfully completed all required technical training, as per reports.

Wall was arrested by authorities on June 1 following the investigation.