Fighter jets deployed after civilian aircraft entered G7 no-fly zone above Kananaskis
Pilot travelled into restricted air space before landing safely under their own power
North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) deployed fighter jets to intercept a civilian aircraft on Sunday after it entered a no-fly zone in place for the G7 summit.
The fixed-wing aircraft travelled into restricted air space above the Kananaskis area, according to a news release from the G7 Integrated Safety and Security Group.
CF-18 Hornet fighter jets were sent to intercept the aircraft. NORAD's Canadian region took "multiple steps" to get the pilot's attention before resorting to "final warning measures" to contact the pilot.
Eventually, the pilot landed the civilian aircraft safely under their own power and was met on the ground by RCMP officers, according to the Integrated Safety and Security Group.
"It is every pilot's responsibility to ensure that there are no restrictions in the air space they intend to fly," the release said.
"These incidents take away resources that could be utilized in police work and securing the summit site."
Temporary air space restrictions over both Calgary and Kananaskis have been in place since Saturday morning.
One no-fly zone is centred on Kananaskis village and has a radius of 30 nautical miles. Another is centred on the Calgary International Airport and has a radius of 20 nautical miles.
Restrictions in both locations will be enforced until midnight Tuesday.
WATCH | No-fly zones at the G7:
NORAD is a U.S.-Canada bi-national organization responsible for aerospace warning and control. The organization is using aircraft and personnel from both the Canadian and U.S. militaries to protect world leaders and other people attending the G7.
The incident is still under investigation, according to the Integrated Safety and Security Group.