Porter Airlines cancelled Flight PD444 on August 6, 2026, after a toddler on board refused to wear a seatbelt. The flight was scheduled to operate from Victoria International Airport, British Columbia, to Toronto Pearson International Airport, Ontario.
Incident Leading to Flight Cancellation
Flight PD444 had already left the gate at Victoria International Airport and was taxiing toward the runway when flight attendants noticed the child standing on the seat without a seatbelt. Cabin crew, along with the child’s parent, made several unsuccessful attempts to have the toddler sit properly and buckle the seatbelt. The crew determined the aircraft could not take off in this unsafe
condition and decided to return to the terminal to disembark the child and parent.
Impact of Airport Curfew and Timing
The toddler and parent disembarked around 11:30 p.m. after passengers had been on board for nearly an hour without departure. Victoria International Airport enforces an overnight curfew at 12:30 a.m., prohibiting flight operations beyond that time. The delay caused by removing the child and completing necessary procedures pushed the flight past the curfew, forcing the cancellation of Flight PD444.
Passenger Experience and Criticism
Passengers were stranded overnight in Victoria due to the cancellation. Some expressed frustration over the extended delay and the airline’s communication. Passenger Hillary Hertzberg described the process
as taking “for ever” and criticized Porter Airlines for insufficient communication and lack of support with overnight accommodations. Passengers had to arrange their own lodging independently.
Official Airline Response and Flight Resumption
Porter Airlines spokesperson Brad Cicero confirmed that safety protocols required the cancellation. He stated the child’s refusal to comply was a genuine safety issue and apologized for the disruption. Cicero said, “the aircraft could not take off in this unsafe condition.” Passengers were rebooked on another flight departing about twelve hours later, allowing the flight to resume safely the following morning.
Regulatory Context on Safety and Curfew
Federal aviation regulations mandate that all passengers, regardless of age, must be properly
seated and secured with a seatbelt before takeoff. The refusal to comply with these safety rules left the flight crew no option but to delay departure. Additionally, Victoria International Airport’s strict 12:30 a.m. overnight curfew meant that any delay extending beyond that threshold results in flight cancellations to minimize noise disruptions overnight.
Public and Media Clarifications
Media outlets and industry sources have clarified that the incident involving Flight PD444 was isolated to this particular flight and does not reflect a broader pattern of cancellations for Porter Airlines. Passengers on other flights have been advised to verify their status directly through official airline channels. Porter
Airlines maintains an operational advisory page for ongoing updates related to scheduling and disruptions.
