A scheduled Porter Airlines flight departing Victoria on 6 August was cancelled after a child refused to fasten their seatbelt while the aircraft taxied toward the runway. The child remained standing in their seat despite repeated requests from both the accompanying parent and flight crew members to comply with safety protocols. After determining the situation could not be resolved, the airline decided to return to the terminal rather than proceed with the flight.
Airline spokesperson Brad Cicero explained to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation that all passengers were required to disembark because removing only the child and parent, combined with necessary paperwork adjustments, would have prevented departure before the airport’s 12:30am closure. The carrier offered apologies to affected passengers and arranged alternative transportation on a flight departing the following day.
Passenger accounts provided varying perspectives on the incident. Aryeh Kozuch, who was aboard the flight, described the child as frightened rather than unruly, noting the youngster repeatedly attempted to hide under seats rather than engage in disruptive behavior. Kozuch expressed concern that online commentary had not fairly characterized the parents’ efforts or the child’s apparent anxiety about flying.
Another passenger, Hillary Hertzberg, criticized the pace of the airline’s response, stating that approximately one hour elapsed from when the child was first identified as non-compliant until their departure from the aircraft at 11:30pm. The incident highlighted challenges airlines face when safety requirements conflict with passenger accommodation needs during flight operations.
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