Porter Airlines cancels flight after child refuses to wear seatbelt

Porter Airlines cancelled a flight from Victoria International Airport to Toronto on August 6 after a child refused to sit down and fasten their seatbelt. According to the airline, the child was standing in their seat during departure preparations, creating an unsafe environment. Despite multiple attempts by the crew and the parent to secure the child, the aircraft had to return to the terminal to disembark the child and their parent.

Due to the time required to process the paperwork and the fact that the delay would have pushed operations past the airport’s 00:30 closing time, all passengers were required to deplane. The airline rebooked passengers on flights for the following day and issued an apology for the disruption.

Witnesses provided differing perspectives on the incident. One passenger, Aryeh Kozuch, stated the child was not being disruptive but appeared frightened and was attempting to hide under the seat. Another passenger, Hillary Hertzberg, criticized the airline’s communication and the length of time the aircraft remained on the tarmac during the process.