Former Air Canada captain charged after allegedly flying hundreds of flights without proper licence: police

Peel Regional Police say a former airline captain is facing fraud charges after he allegedly flew hundreds of flights between 2009 and 2025 without a necessary licence.

Geoffrey Wall, 59, of Barrie, Ont., was arrested on June 1, following a complex fraud investigation dubbed “Project Icarus,” Dep. Chief Nick Milinovich announced at a news conference Tuesday.

Wall began his career in 1998 and was promoted to captain in 2009, at which point he required an airline transport pilot licence (ATPL), which he allegedly did not have, police said. He used fraudulent pilot licences to deceive Air Canada and Transport Canada during his career as a captain, investigators allege.

Wall has been charged with fraud over $5,000, public mischief, two counts of uttering forged documents and three counts of possession of counterfeit mark, Peel police said in a release issued after Tuesday’s news conference.

“This is very similar to a doctor that is licensed to practice family medicine, but is doing brain surgery in their office,” said Milinovich.

Police said the investigation began in January after Transport Canada reviewed the licensing credentials and conduct of a commercial airline captain.

Wall retired last year prior to the regulatory review and police investigation, police said. Between 2009 and 2025, he was captained more than 900 domestic and international flights, earning nearly $3 million in salary, they said.

During his career, Wall held several positions with the Air Canada Pilots Association, police said, including chair of the master executive council, the association’s governing body.

Air Canada says safety wasn’t compromised

Air Canada said in a statement on Monday that safety had not been compromised.

It said the airline’s pilots are tested every six months to validate their flying competency. Pilots also undergo a flight check with a certified Transport Canada check-pilot every 12 months.

The airline said the pilot was fully trained, with a valid commercial pilot licence, but did not have an airline transport pilot licence, which is required under Canadian regulations.

Air Canada said upon discovering this, it removed the pilot from active duty and reported the matter to Transport Canada.

The pilot is no longer employed by Air Canada, the airline said.

Air Canada said an audit of its pilots found no other instances of non-compliance. The airline said it would not comment beyond its statement, citing privacy laws and the ongoing investigation.