Toddler’s Refusal to Buckle Seatbelt Forces Porter Airlines Flight Cancellation

Porter Airlines scheduled flight PD444 from Victoria International Airport (YYJ) to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) was cancelled after a toddler standing in its seat refused to secure the seat-belt. While the aircraft was taxiing for take-off, cabin crew and the child’s parent were unable to fasten the belt, prompting the crew to return to the terminal and deplane the family. The additional procedures pushed the departure past the airport’s 12:30 a.m. runway curfew, and the flight was cancelled, leaving the remaining passengers to spend the night in Victoria.

Porter Airlines Flight Canceled After Toddler Stands In Seat, Delaying It Past Curfew Toronto SunPorter Airlines Victoria Flight Cancelled: Child Refuses To Sit & Wear Seatbelt, Flight Forced Back To Gate Before Overnight Runway Curfew People MagazineFlight Canceled After Child Refuses to Buckle Up Flight canceled after toddler refused to secure seatbelt Fox News (website)

Canadian aviation regulations require that children under two years old occupying a seat be secured with an approved child-restraint device. The airline also follows the local curfew at Victoria International Airport, which prohibits departures after 12:30 a.m. to limit nighttime noise.

Flight canceled after toddler refused to secure seatbelt

• August 6, 2026 (scheduled): Flight PD444 was slated to depart at 10:30 p.m.

People Magazine

• During taxi: Crew observed the toddler standing in the seat and refusing the belt.

Breitbart

• Return to terminal: The aircraft was turned back, the family deplaned, and baggage was off-loaded.

Toronto Sun

• After 12:30 a.m.: The curfew closed the runway, making a same-night departure impossible.

Porter Airlines Victoria Flight Cancelled: Child Refuses To Sit & Wear Seatbelt, Flight Forced Back To Gate Before Overnight Runway Curfew

• August 7, 2026 (occurred): A replacement flight departed, allowing the stranded passengers to continue to Toronto.

Porter Airlines Flight Canceled After Toddler Stands In Seat, Delaying It Past Curfew

A spokesperson for the airport confirmed the curfew’s impact, saying the runway closes at 12:30 a.m.

Toronto Sun

“We apologize for the effect this had on other passengers,” — Fox News Digital. Porter, one of Canada's largest airlines

Global News

Porter also reiterated its safety policy, noting that “the plane could not take off under these unsafe conditions.”

Global News

“The plane could not take off under these unsafe conditions,” — Porter Airlines

Porter Airlines Victoria Flight Cancelled: Child Refuses To Sit & Wear Seatbelt, Flight Forced Back To Gate Before Overnight Runway Curfew

The airline apologized to affected travelers and rebooked them on a flight the following day.

Porter Airlines Victoria Flight Cancelled: Child Refuses To Sit & Wear Seatbelt, Flight Forced Back To Gate Before Overnight Runway Curfew

• Flight number: PD444 (later operated as PD1444 on the rescheduled departure)

Porter Airlines Victoria Flight Cancelled: Child Refuses To Sit & Wear Seatbelt, Flight Forced Back To Gate Before Overnight Runway Curfew

• Aircraft type: Embraer E195-E2 (registration C-GKQO)

Porter Airlines Flight Canceled After Toddler Stands In Seat, Delaying It Past Curfew

• Scheduled departure time: 10:30 p.m. on August 6, 2026

Porter Airlines Flight Canceled After Toddler Stands In Seat, Delaying It Past Curfew

• Runway curfew: 12:30 a.m. (local time)

Porter Airlines Victoria Flight Cancelled: Child Refuses To Sit & Wear Seatbelt, Flight Forced Back To Gate Before Overnight Runway Curfew

• Rebooked departure: August 7, 2026, with the aircraft leaving Victoria at 1:34 p.m. and arriving in Toronto at 8:24 p.m.

Porter Airlines Flight Canceled After Toddler Stands In Seat, Delaying It Past Curfew

Because the flight could not be cleared before the curfew, all passengers were required to stay overnight in Victoria. Porter Airlines rebooked them on the next day’s service and issued an apology for the inconvenience. No identifying information about the child or the accompanying parent was released.

Porter Airlines Victoria Flight Cancelled: Child Refuses To Sit & Wear Seatbelt, Flight Forced Back To Gate Before Overnight Runway Curfew

• “We apologize for the effect this had on other passengers,” — Fox News Digital. Porter, one of Canada's largest airlines

Fox News (website)

• “The plane could not take off under these unsafe conditions,” — Porter Airlines

Flight Canceled After Child Refuses to Buckle Up