A Porter Airlines flight from Victoria to Toronto was cancelled after a child refused to wear a seatbelt while standing in their chair as the aircraft taxied toward the runway, according to the airline. The August 6 incident forced the plane to return to the terminal so the passengers could disembark because the aircraft could not take off in that condition.
Airline Explains Decision to Return to Terminal
Porter Airlines spokesperson Brad Cicero told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) that repeated attempts by an accompanying parent and the flight crew failed to secure the child. The crew elected to return to the gate because the aircraft could not safely take off.
Cicero explained to the broadcaster that the entire flight had to be cancelled rather than simply removing the two passengers. The time needed to remove the child and parent, offload luggage, and refile flight paperwork meant the plane would miss the airport’s strict curfew. The airport closes at 12:30 a.m., preventing a delayed departure.
Passenger Perspectives on the Incident
Passengers offered differing accounts of the atmosphere inside the cabin during the hour-long delay. Passenger Aryeh Kozuch told the Canadian Press that the child was not being unruly and that online comments admonishing the parents failed to capture the situation accurately.
“They just kept hiding under their seat,” Kozuch said, describing how the child slid out underneath straps when forced. “This was a child that was in a tube with 150 people… They’re obviously terrified, and their response was to try and hide under the seat in front of them.” He contrasted the behavior with a child running around and screaming.
Other travelers felt the airline’s operational response dragged on too long. Passenger Hillary Hertzberg told the CBC that the handling of the situation took forever, noting that the child eventually left the plane at 11:30 p.m. after passengers had already been onboard for nearly an hour.
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Rebooking and Next Steps for Affected Travelers
Following the cancellation, Porter Airlines arranged alternative travel for those affected. According to the airline, all passengers were successfully rebooked and able to depart on a replacement flight the following day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Porter Airlines flight cancelled?
The flight from Victoria to Toronto was cancelled because a child stood up and refused to wear a seatbelt while taxiing. The time required to offload the passengers and refile paperwork meant the flight could not depart before the airport’s 12:30 a.m. curfew.
Were other passengers able to reach Toronto?
Yes. Porter Airlines stated that all impacted passengers were rebooked and departed on a replacement flight the next day.
What did witnesses say about the child’s behavior?
Passenger Aryeh Kozuch reported that the child was terrified and tried to hide under the seat rather than acting out or running through the cabin.
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