On August 6, 2026, Porter Airlines canceled Flight PD444 at Victoria International Airport after a young child passenger refused to remain seated and buckled for takeoff. The aircraft had already left the gate and was taxiing toward the runway when flight attendants observed the child standing on the seat instead of being secured.
Child’s Seatbelt Refusal and Airport Curfew Lead to Cancellation
Crew members and the child’s parent attempted repeatedly to have the child sit and buckle the seatbelt but were unsuccessful. Because federal aviation safety regulations require all passengers to be properly restrained before departure, the crew returned the aircraft to the terminal to offload the child, parent,
and baggage. This process delayed the flight past Victoria International Airport’s 12:30 a.m. overnight curfew, preventing departure and resulting in cancellation.
Passengers Stranded Overnight and Rebooked
Passengers on Flight PD444 were forced to disembark and remain overnight in Victoria following the cancellation. The flight was rescheduled to depart approximately twelve hours later, flying to Toronto Pearson International Airport. Some passengers, including Hillary Hertzberg, criticized the length of time spent waiting and cited insufficient communication and lack of assistance in arranging accommodations during the delay.
Porter Airlines Confirms Safety-Driven Cancellation and Apologizes
A Porter Airlines spokesperson confirmed the incident was a safety issue related to the child’s refusal to buckle in compliance with
standard protocol. The airline apologized to passengers affected by the disruption and affirmed that the cabin crew followed federal safety procedures. Porter Airlines stated it adheres to federal regulations on treatment and accommodation during delays and cancellations but did not specify if any compensation was offered in this instance.
Airline Safety Rules and Airport Curfew Context
Federal aviation rules mandate that all passengers, including children, must be seated and properly secured before takeoff for safety reasons. Victoria International Airport enforces a strict runway curfew closing flights after 12:30 a.m. to minimize noise disruption to nearby communities. Delays that push departures past this curfew often result in cancellations,
as occurred with Flight PD444.
Porter Airlines operates six weekly flights between Victoria and Toronto, excluding Saturdays. The canceled Flight PD444 was part of this schedule. The disruption represents a notable interruption to the airline’s regular service on this route, directly affecting passengers scheduled for same-day travel between Victoria and Toronto.
