Porter Airlines canceled Flight PD444 from Victoria International Airport to Toronto Pearson International Airport on August 6, 2026, after a young child on board refused to remain seated and buckled for takeoff. The incident forced the flight to return to the gate, leading to a prolonged delay and passenger stranding.
Child’s Seatbelt Refusal Causes Flight Turnback
The aircraft had already left the gate and was taxiing toward the runway when crew observed the child standing on their seat instead of sitting properly secured as required by federal aviation safety regulations. Cabin crew and the child’s parent attempted repeatedly to seat and buckle the child, but these
efforts were unsuccessful. The flight crew ultimately decided to return the plane to the terminal so the child and parent could disembark, after concluding the ongoing safety issue left no option but to abort the departure.
Victoria Airport Curfew Forces Flight Cancellation
Victoria International Airport enforces a strict overnight curfew on flight departures after 12:30 a.m. The seatbelt incident delayed the process long enough that by the time the child disembarked around 11:30 p.m., passengers had already been sitting on board for close to an hour. Due to the curfew, the aircraft was prohibited from departing later that night, causing the flight to be canceled and
stranding passengers in Victoria.
Passengers Stranded Overnight Amid Delayed Departure
Passengers on Flight PD444 faced an unexpected overnight stay at Victoria International Airport, requiring them to arrange their own lodging. The flight, which normally operates six times weekly on the Victoria to Toronto route except Saturdays, eventually departed approximately twelve hours later the next morning. Some travellers criticized Porter Airlines for poor communication during the cancellation and expressed frustration over the prolonged wait on the grounded aircraft.
Porter Airlines Confirms Safety Protocols, Apologizes
Porter Airlines stated the child’s refusal to remain properly seated constituted a genuine safety hazard requiring the cancellation. The airline apologized for the disruption and emphasized that cabin crew
acted according to standard safety procedures throughout. While Porter Airlines follows federal regulations regarding treatment of passengers during safety-related delays, including possible meal vouchers and rebooking, it did not specify additional compensation for this incident.
The incident involving Flight PD444 was isolated and did not affect other Porter Airlines flights. Travelers were advised to monitor airline communications for flight status updates, as no further disruptions tied to this event were reported.
