Porter Airlines Flight PD444 from Victoria International Airport to Toronto Pearson International Airport was cancelled on August 6, 2026, due to a toddler onboard refusing to remain seated with a fastened seatbelt.
Sequence of Events Leading to Cancellation
The incident occurred after the aircraft had pushed back and was taxiing toward the runway when cabin crew noticed the toddler repeatedly standing and not secured in the seatbelt. Despite efforts by the flight attendants and the child’s parent to have the toddler properly seated and restrained, the child continued to disobey safety instructions. As safety regulations require all passengers to be seated and buckled before departure, the
flight crew returned the plane to the gate at Victoria International Airport to disembark the child and parent. This disembarkation process extended late into the evening, with the family leaving the aircraft around 11:30 p.m.
Impact of Victoria International Airport Curfew
Victoria International Airport enforces an overnight curfew, closing runway operations after 12:30 a.m. The delay in resolving the toddler’s seatbelt issue caused Flight PD444’s departure preparations to exceed this curfew window, making it impossible to take off that night. The flight crew was forced to cancel the flight for safety compliance and to abide by airport curfew rules.
Passenger Consequences and Delays
Passengers on the flight remained on the
grounded plane for nearly an hour prior to the child’s disembarkation. With the flight cancelled, travelers were stranded overnight in Victoria and had to arrange their own accommodations independently. Porter Airlines rescheduled the departure to the following afternoon, resulting in a delay of approximately twelve hours compared to the original schedule to Toronto.
Passenger Feedback and Official Airline Response
Several passengers criticized the airline’s communication during the delay. Passenger Hillary Hertzberg reported that information was slow and insufficient once the cancellation was confirmed. Other passengers described the toddler’s persistent refusal to remain seated, with one stating the child “just kept hiding under their seat. If they
got forced into being strapped in, they just kind of slid out underneath.”
Porter Airlines issued a statement recognizing the toddler’s refusal to buckle as a serious safety issue requiring the flight cancellation. The airline apologized to the affected passengers and confirmed that cabin crew followed all safety protocols. A spokesperson said, “We apologize for the effect this had on other passengers, who were able to depart on a flight the following day.” Porter Airlines also maintains a travel alerts page for up-to-date operational information.
Aviation Safety Rules and Operational Challenges
Federal aviation regulations mandate that every passenger must be seated and properly secured with a
seatbelt before departure. Incidents involving children refusing seatbelt compliance present operational challenges for airlines. At airports enforcing strict overnight curfews like Victoria International, delays caused by onboarding issues can force cancellations if departure windows are missed. Porter Airlines operates six weekly flights on the Victoria to Toronto route, excluding Saturdays, making this cancellation an unusual disruption to their schedule.
