An evening flight from British Columbia to Toronto encountered an unusual delay due to an uncooperative toddler. Porter Airlines confirmed that the flight was canceled after a child refused to buckle their seat belt.
The aircraft, flight 444, was scheduled to depart Victoria International Airport at 10:30 p.m. The flight had already begun taxiing when a flight attendant observed the issue: a young child standing without a secured seatbelt. Attempts by the accompanying adult and crew members to buckle the child were unsuccessful.
“A young child was standing in their seat and would not secure their seatbelt,” the airline shared in a statement.
Due to safety regulations, the aircraft could not take off. The crew made the decision to return to the terminal, leading to the passengers disembarking. With Victoria International Airport’s takeoff curfew of 12:30 a.m., the delay in removing the passengers and their luggage resulted in the flight’s cancellation. Consequently, passengers had to remain overnight.
Porter Airlines addressed the situation, apologizing to affected passengers. They were rebooked on a flight the following Friday.
“We apologize for the effect this had on other passengers,” Porter Airlines stated.
The exact age of the child remains unknown, but regulations require child safety seats or restraint devices for those under two. This incident underscores the importance of adhering to safety protocols during flights.