Veteran airline pilot flew thousands around world for 17 years using fake licence

A veteran airline captain is accused of flying thousands of passengers around the world for 17 years using fake qualifications.

Former Air Canada pilot Geoffrey Wall, 59, has been charged with forging credentials needed to fly as a captain and keeping the deception going for more than a decade.

The Ontario man allegedly used the fraudulent documents from 2009 after being promoted to captain, despite not holding the Airline Transport Pilot Licence required under Canadian aviation rules.

Police claim the alleged scam went undetected for years while the 59-year-old continued flying commercial passenger jets for one of Canada’s biggest airlines.

The bombshell allegations only came to light in 2025 when irregularities were reportedly uncovered during routine licence checks, triggering an investigation by Transport Canada.

A subsequent criminal probe allegedly found the captain’s credentials had been forged.

Mr Wall, who began flying for Air Canada in 1998, has been charged with seven offences including fraud, forgery and possession of counterfeit marks.

Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich said long-running frauds were not uncommon because offenders could become highly skilled at deception.

“It is not uncommon for fraud to continue for years and years,” he said.

“Eventually it catches up to you and that’s when we get involved.”

Air Canada said Mr Wall was immediately removed from duty when the allegations surfaced and the matter was voluntarily reported to Transport Canada.

The airline stressed passenger safety was never compromised, saying all pilots undergo competency checks and simulator testing every six months.

Air Canada also conducted an audit of its pilot workforce and said no other licensing issues were uncovered.

Mr Wall is due to face court on June 29.