Porter Airlines flight PD444 was cancelled on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at Victoria International Airport after a young child refused to remain seated and buckled during taxi to the runway. The flight, bound for Toronto Pearson International Airport, returned to the gate due to the safety concern involving the child standing on the seat and refusing seatbelt attempts by crew and parent.
Victoria Airport Curfew Causes Overnight Flight Cancellation
The incident delayed disembarkation of the child and parent until approximately 11:30 p.m. at Victoria International Airport. This delay pushed the flight past the airport’s overnight operating curfew, which begins at 12:30 a.m. and prohibits all departures to
limit noise disruption. Due to this restriction, Flight PD444 could not depart that night and was cancelled.
Passengers Stranded Overnight and Rebooked Next Day
Passengers were stranded overnight at Victoria and had to arrange their own accommodation after Porter’s communication and assistance were reported lacking. Flight PD444 was rebooked, departing about twelve hours later the following morning. The disruption affected travellers planning same-day arrivals in Toronto.
Porter Airlines Confirms Safety Protocol and Apologizes
Porter Airlines confirmed the child’s refusal to be properly seated and buckled was a genuine safety issue requiring cancellation. The airline stated the cabin crew followed standard safety protocols throughout. An airline spokesperson apologized for the disruption and confirmed the sequence
of events complied with Transport Canada and international safety regulations.
Regulations and Industry Context on Seatbelt Enforcement
Transport Canada mandates all passengers be properly fastened during taxi and takeoff. Flight crews cannot depart if passengers are unsecured. Incidents with children refusing seatbelts present ongoing safety and operational challenges industry-wide. Victoria International Airport’s strict curfew can turn such delays into overnight cancellations. Porter Airlines operates six weekly flights on the Victoria-Toronto route, excluding Saturdays.
