Flight canceled after toddler refused to secure seatbelt
A flight bound for Toronto was canceled because a toddler refused to buckle their seatbelt.
On Aug. 6, Porter Airlines flight 444 was headed for the runway at Victoria International Airport in British Columbia, Canada, when a flight attendant saw a child standing in their seat, the airline said in a statement sent to outlets, including PEOPLE and Fox News.
"A young child was standing in their seat and would not secure their seatbelt," a Porter Airlines spokesperson said.
The child's accompanying parent and crew members tried to get the toddler buckled in but failed.
"The aircraft could not take off in this unsafe condition, so the crew elected to return to the terminal and have the passengers disembark," the airline added.
The plane returned to the terminal, with passengers deplaned. The flight had to be canceled, as the airport had a 12:30 a.m. takeoff curfew.
Porter Airlines issued an apology to affected passengers, as they had to stay the night and had their flight rebooked to Aug. 7.
According to the airline's website, an approved child restraint device or car seat is a must for children under two who are flying.
"Transport Canada highly recommends the use of an approved child restraint for all phases of the flight. It provides the highest degree of protection for your infant or child, and its use during flight will help in case of unanticipated turbulence," it said.
The age of the child is unknown.
