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Flight canceled after toddler refused to buckle seat belt, stranding passengers overnight

Porter Airlines flight 444 from British Columbia was canceled after a toddler refused to buckle their seatbelt, stranding passengers overnight.

Published August 8, 2026, 10:04 PM
Updated August 8, 2026, 10:28 PM884
Flight canceled after toddler refused to buckle seat belt, stranding passengers overnight

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An evening flight from British Columbia to Toronto this week had to be canceled because a toddler refused to buckle their seat belt, the airline confirmed to Fox News Digital.

Porter Airlines flight 444 was expected to leave from Victoria International Airport at 10:30 p.m. and had begun taxiing when a flight attendant noticed the child.

"A young child was standing in their seat and would not secure their seatbelt," the airline shared with Fox News Digital in a statement, adding that neither the adult with the child nor the crew were able to get the child buckled.

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Porter Airlines plane departs from Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, Ontario.

Porter Airlines flight 444 was expected to leave from Victoria International Airport in British Columbia, but a young child had other ideas. (NurPhoto via Getty Images, File)

"The aircraft could not take off in this unsafe condition, so the crew elected to return to the terminal and have the passengers disembark," the airline added.

Because the airport has a takeoff curfew of 12:30 a.m., and it took time to get the passengers in question and their luggage off the plane and do the necessary paperwork, the flight had to be canceled, and the other passengers had to stay the night.

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Victoria International Airport terminal in North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada.

Victoria International Airport's runway closes at 12:30 p.m. (AFP via Getty Images)

The other passengers were rebooked on a Friday flight.

"We apologize for the effect this had on other passengers," Porter added.

Aircraft is guided to a terminal at Victoria International Airport as vehicles sit parked nearby.

The delayed passengers finally left the airport on Friday. (Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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A child safety seat or restraint device is required for children under two flying on the airline. It’s unclear how old the child was.

Brie Stimson is a Los Angeles-based entertainment and breaking news writer for Fox News Digital. 

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