Porter Airlines cancelled Flight PD444 on August 6, 2026, after a toddler passenger refused to stay seated and buckle their seatbelt during taxiing at Victoria International Airport. The flight was scheduled from Victoria to Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Safety Incident Forces Return to Gate
After leaving the gate, Flight PD444 was taxiing toward the runway when cabin crew noticed the child standing on the seat without the seatbelt fastened. Repeated attempts by the crew and the child’s parent to secure the toddler were unsuccessful. Due to the safety risk, the aircraft returned to the gate to allow the child and parent to disembark.
Curfew Regulations Cause Cancellation
Victoria International Airport
enforces a strict operating curfew starting at 12:30 a.m. The delay from disembarking the child and administrative processes pushed Flight PD444 past this cutoff. Consequently, the flight could not depart as scheduled and was officially cancelled for the night.
Passengers Stranded Overnight, Rebooked for Next Morning
Passengers on Flight PD444 were stranded overnight in Victoria and had to arrange their own accommodations. Porter Airlines rebooked travelers on a replacement flight that departed roughly twelve hours later the following morning, restoring service to Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Official Statements and Passenger Criticism
Porter Airlines confirmed the toddler’s refusal to remain buckled created a safety issue, leaving no alternative but to abort the departure.
The airline apologized to passengers affected by the disruption and stated its cabin crew followed standard federal safety protocols throughout the incident. Some passengers criticized the airline for poor communication and lack of assistance after cancellation. Porter Airlines did not confirm whether compensation was offered for extra expenses incurred by travelers.
Regulatory Context and Industry Challenges
Transport Canada mandates all passengers be properly seated and secured before takeoff for safety reasons. Incidents involving unbuckled children disrupting flights represent a common challenge across airlines. Strict airport curfews like Victoria’s can transform in-cabin safety delays into full flight cancellations.
Isolated Incident, No Additional Cancellations Reported
Porter Airlines operates six weekly flights on the
Victoria-Toronto route, excluding Saturdays. This was an isolated event specific to Flight PD444. No other flight cancellations linked to this incident were reported by the airline.
