- Porter Airlines cancelled Flight PD444 after a toddler refused to fasten their seatbelt during taxiing
- The aircraft returned to the gate to deplane the family due to federal safety regulations
- The process exceeded Victoria International Airport’s 12:30 a.m. curfew
- All remaining passengers stayed overnight in Victoria and were rebooked for August 12, 2026
- Porter Airlines apologised for the incident without providing further compensation details
Porter Airlines was forced to cancel Flight PD444 from Victoria to Toronto after a toddler refused to sit down and fasten their seatbelt during taxiing at Victoria International Airport (YYJ). The incident has forced all remaining passengers to stay overnight in Victoria, with the airline rebooking travellers for the following day.
The aircraft returned to the terminal to deplane the family after staff and the parent failed to secure the child’s compliance with federal aviation safety regulations. This process created a chain reaction that exceeded the 12:30 a.m. curfew at Victoria International Airport, preventing the aircraft from taking off before the operational deadline. Porter Airlines apologised for the disruption to passengers.
The cancellation highlights the operational fragility of late-night flight schedules when unexpected compliance issues arise. Passengers were rebooked on services departing on August 12, 2026, with the airline managing accommodation arrangements for those stranded overnight. The curfew at YYJ remains a critical constraint for airlines operating evening services from the airport.
Porter Airlines shared in a written statement “the safety of all passengers and crew remains our primary concern and we regret the inconvenience caused to our guests.”
