Porter Airlines cancels flight after child refuses seatbelt during taxi

Porter Airlines flight PD444 from Victoria to Toronto was cancelled on August 6, 2026, after a young child refused to fasten their seatbelt while the aircraft was taxiing toward the runway. The plane had left the terminal at Victoria International Airport and was preparing for departure when flight crew noticed the child standing in their seat. Both the accompanying parent and cabin crew members attempted to secure the child but were unsuccessful.

Because the aircraft could not take off under unsafe conditions, crew elected to return to the terminal and disembark all passengers. The process of removing passengers and baggage, retrieving luggage, and completing required paperwork extended past 12:30 a.m., when Victoria International Airport's runway closes for the night. This made it impossible to reschedule the flight for departure that evening.

All affected passengers were accommodated overnight and reboarded on a flight departing Friday at 10:49 a.m. local time, arriving in Toronto at 6:16 p.m. Porter Airlines issued an apology "for the effect this had on other passengers." The incident underscores aviation safety protocols that require all passengers to be properly seated and restrained before takeoff can proceed.