Porter PD444 Canceled After Child Refuses Seatbelt

60 sourcesUpdated Aug 11, 2026

Porter Airlines canceled flight PD444 from Victoria to Toronto after a young child stood and refused to buckle the seatbelt, despite attempts by the parent and cabin crew. The crew determined the aircraft could not take off in an unsafe condition and returned to the terminal to disembark the passengers. The delay pushed the departure past Victoria International Airport’s 12:30 a.m. runway closure. Many travelers were stranded overnight and rebooked for the following day, with Porter and the airport apologizing for the disruption. Regulators' safety guidelines require passengers to be seated with seatbelts fastened during taxi, takeoff, landing and other critical periods, which framed the decision to cancel. Reports vary on the child’s age and the number of affected passengers, but the safety rationale and scheduling of a new departure are consistent.

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Broke castanetkamloops.net · Aug 9, 12:35 AMCenter +15hLeft +17hRight +23h88 sources +3d on

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Left· 4 sources

“Airline crew aborts flight after child refuses to buckle up”

Saudi Gazette · Aug 11, 2026

Center· 3 sources

“A toddler caused an entire flight to turn around and be canceled”

Audacy · Aug 11, 2026

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· 6 sources

“Porter Airlines flight cancelled after toddler refuses seatbelt, hides under seat”

First Post · Aug 11, 2026

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Saudi GazetteLean LeftAirline crew aborts flight after child refuses to buckle up

AudacyCenterA toddler caused an entire flight to turn around and be canceled

First PostLean RightPorter Airlines flight cancelled after toddler refuses seatbelt, hides under seat

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