Porter Airlines Cancels Victoria Flights Last-Minute—Here’s What Stranded Passengers Can Do

Passengers heading from Victoria to Toronto on Porter Airlines flight PD444 were left scrambling for overnight accommodations after the carrier scrubbed the Aug. 6 departure when a toddler refused to sit and buckle up. What happened According to Porter, the Embraer E195-E2 had already pushed back from the gate at Victoria International Airport (YYJ) when crew members noticed the child standing on the seat. Repeated attempts by both the parent and cabin crew to secure the seat-belt failed, creating what the airline called an “unsafe condition.” Regulations bar any take-off under those circumstances, so the pilots taxied back to the terminal and deplaned the family. Why the flight couldn’t simply try again YYJ enforces a strict 12:30 a.m. runway curfew to curb nighttime noise. By the time the aircraft returned, off-loaded the family and their bags, and completed new paperwork, the curfew had passed, forcing Porter to cancel the leg entirely. The replacement flight did not depart until 10:49 p.m. the following evening, landing in Toronto at 6:16 a.m. local time, nearly 24 hours late. Impact on travelers • Roughly 130 passengers had to find hotels or stay with friends and family in Victoria. • Porter issued meal and hotel vouchers where available and apologized for the disruption. • Because the incident stemmed from a passenger-related safety issue, federal compensation rules tied to carrier-controllable cancellations do not apply, but affected customers are still entitled to rebooking at no cost and refunds for unused segments upon request. Reminder on child-restraint rules Transport Canada “highly recommends” an approved child-restraint system for all children under two; infants occupying their own seat must be in a certified car seat or CARES harness. Porter does not supply restraints on board, so parents must bring their own and ensure the child remains secured throughout taxi, take-off, landing and turbulence. Tips for avoiding a similar disruption 1. Reserve a seat for infants rather than lap-holding when possible. 2. Bring documentation showing your car seat is Canadian- or FAA-approved. 3. Board early to install the seat and allow the child to acclimate. 4. Pack favorite snacks, books or digital entertainment to ease resistance. 5. Explain seat-belt expectations to older toddlers before travel day. Bottom line A single unbuckled child derailed Porter’s late-night Victoria–Toronto hop, illustrating how individual compliance with safety rules can make or break on-time departures. Passengers booked on evening flights out of curfew-restricted airports should build in flexibility—and parents should double-check that young flyers are ready, willing and safely strapped in before wheels-up.