A Porter Airlines flight from Victoria in British Columbia to Toronto was cancelled after a young child refused to sit in his seat and fasten his seat belt.
A Porter Airlines flight PD444 had left the terminal and was preparing for take-off when crew members saw the child standing in his seat.
Flight attendants and the child’s parents tried for some time to persuade him to sit down and fasten his seat belt, but he continued to resist.
Under aviation safety rules, all passengers must remain seated and wear seat belts during take-off. The aircraft could not leave while the child remained standing.
The airline said the aircraft was returned to the terminal because of the unsafe situation, and the family was asked to leave the aircraft.
It took considerable time to remove the family, unload their luggage and complete the necessary travel and safety procedures.
The process continued beyond 12.30am, while the main runway at Victoria International Airport closes every night at 12.30am. As a result, the aircraft could not depart again.
The cancellation meant that all the remaining passengers had to spend the night in Victoria.
Porter Airlines apologised for the inconvenience caused to passengers and booked them on alternative flights the following day.
A child’s refusal to sit and fasten his seat belt forced the aircraft back to the terminal, with the late return leading to the cancellation of the flight.
