Porter Airlines canceled flight PD444 from Victoria International Airport to Toronto on 6 August 2026 after a toddler passenger refused to fasten their seatbelt and stood on the seat, creating an unsafe situation that prevented takeoff.
Aborted Takeoff and Runway Closure
The aircraft doors had been closed and the plane was taxiing towards the runway at Victoria International Airport when cabin crew and the child’s parent failed to secure the toddler in the seatbelt. The flight crew chose to abort takeoff and return the aircraft to the terminal to have passengers disembark. Additional paperwork requirements, including refiling the flight plan and recalculating load balancing, delayed
any immediate subsequent departure. The airport runway closure at 12:30 a.m. further prevented the flight from departing that night.
Rescheduled Departure and Arrival Times
The rescheduled flight PD444 departed Victoria at 10:49 a.m. local time on 7 August 2026 and landed in Toronto at 6:16 a.m. Eastern time, according to FlightAware tracking data.
Official Statements on Safety Concerns
A Porter Airlines spokesperson said, “A young child was standing in their seat and would not secure their seatbelt. The aircraft could not take off in this unsafe condition, so the crew elected to return to the terminal and have the passengers disembark.” The airline apologized for the disruption caused to passengers.
Passenger Impact and Industry Context
Passengers were forced to leave the aircraft after the aborted takeoff and spent the night in Victoria due to the cancellation. The incident is part of a series of recent disruptions involving young children on flights. Similar events have sparked debate about airline policies, including discussions about adult-only flights. Porter Airlines has faced previous incidents tied to young passengers, including disputes over in-flight mask mandates in 2023 and a mishandling of an unaccompanied minor’s flight in 2024.
