Porter Airlines Flight PD444 to Toronto was cancelled on August 6, 2026, at Victoria International Airport after a toddler passenger stood on a seat and repeatedly refused to buckle their seatbelt. The flight had already left the gate and was taxiing when cabin crew observed the child’s behavior, which posed a safety issue.
Flight Returned to Gate Due to Safety Concerns
Despite multiple efforts by flight attendants and the child’s parent to seat and secure the toddler, the child was uncooperative, reportedly hiding under the seat and resisting buckling. The captain decided to return the aircraft to the gate so the child and parent could disembark. This process
delayed the flight past Victoria International Airport’s 12:30 a.m. night curfew, forcing the cancellation of the flight for the night.
Passenger Stranding and Rebooking
Passengers on Flight PD444 were stranded overnight in Victoria due to the cancellation. They had to arrange their own accommodations. Porter Airlines rebooked these passengers on the next morning’s flight, which departed approximately 12 hours late to Toronto Pearson International Airport. The flight disruption affected the Victoria to Toronto route, on which Porter operates six weekly flights excluding Saturdays.
Airline Statements and Safety Protocols
Porter Airlines confirmed the flight cancellation was a safety measure necessitated by the toddler’s refusal to remain properly buckled. The airline
apologized for the inconvenience and stated cabin crew followed Transport Canada regulations requiring all passengers to be secured before takeoff. Porter did not confirm if compensation was offered for the delay but maintains travel alert pages for passenger updates.
Context of Airport Curfew and Aviation Safety
Victoria International Airport enforces a strict night curfew beginning at 12:30 a.m. to minimize noise for surrounding communities. This curfew contributed to the flight’s overnight cancellation when delays extended beyond the cutoff. Federal safety regulations mandate all passengers, regardless of age, must be secured before departure. Similar incidents involving unrestrained children have occurred at other airlines such as Southwest and JetBlue
in the US.
Passenger and Expert Comments
Passenger Arié Kozuchi described the toddler as “afraid of flying” and hiding under the seat repeatedly. Aviation safety expert Lia Tussaud noted that safety concerns during takeoff and landing extend to all passengers, emphasizing the importance of seatbelt compliance. Porter Airlines reported that both parents and crew attempted to resolve the situation without success.
Unconfirmed Details
The airline has not disclosed the exact number of passengers affected or whether compensation was provided. No other Porter Airlines flights were reported impacted by this incident, which was isolated to Flight PD444 on August 6, 2026.
