Porter Airlines Flight Canceled After Child Refuses to Buckle Seat Belt, Forcing Overnight Passenger Delay

A Porter Airlines flight departing Victoria International Airport in British Columbia was forced to cancel Thursday evening after crew members could not persuade a young passenger to fasten their seat belt, the carrier confirmed to Fox News Digital. Flight 444 had already begun taxiing toward the runway for its scheduled 10:30 p.m. departure to Toronto when a flight attendant discovered the child standing unfastened in their seat.

Both the child’s accompanying adult and crew members were unable to secure the youngster in their seat, making it impossible for the aircraft to proceed safely. The airline subsequently taxied back to the terminal and requested all passengers to exit the plane while crew removed the child and their belongings and completed necessary paperwork for the cancellation.

The airport’s midnight curfew on takeoffs prevented Porter Airlines from reboooking passengers on a same-day alternative flight. Approximately 140 stranded travelers were offered accommodations and were rescheduled on a Friday departure. The airline did not specify the child’s age, though Porter Airlines requires safety seats or restraint devices for passengers under two years old.

Porter Airlines expressed regret for the disruption caused to other passengers on the flight. The incident highlights ongoing challenges airlines face enforcing safety regulations when young children resist compliance during boarding procedures.