A Porter Airlines flight in Canada was cancelled on Thursday night after a young child refused to sit down and fasten their seatbelt, forcing the aircraft back to the gate at Victoria International Airport in British Columbia. The Toronto-bound service, Porter flight PD444, never made it to the runway after crew said the child was 'standing in their seat' and could not be secured for take‑off. Under Canadian aviation rules, everyone must be seated with their belt secured during taxi, take‑off and landing, with no exception allowing a child to remain unrestrained in the cabin.
The flight had already left the terminal and was taxiing when the problem escalated. Both a parent and cabin crew tried repeatedly to get the child into their seat with a fastened belt, but every attempt failed. The child reportedly kept hiding under the seat and would slide out if forced into the harness.
