Mumbai: Air India finally had something to cheer about on Thursday.
In a rare event, a baby was born mid-air aboard Air India Express Flight IX 350 from Muscat to Mumbai, with assistance from the cabin crew. This happened somewhere above the Arabian Sea, when the aircraft was cruising at 35,000 feet.
According to the airline, a Thai national went into labour and the cabin crew, trained for emergencies but rarely thrust into such real-life stakes, sprang into action. A nurse among the passengers stepped forward, and together, they turned the aircraft into a makeshift delivery room.
“It wasn’t just quick thinking; it was humanity at its best. Our crew stayed calm and composed, ensuring both safety and dignity for the guest,” an Air India Express spokesperson said.
While pilots Capt Ashish Vaghani and Capt Faraz Ahmed alerted Air Traffic Control at Mumbai, seeking priority landing and medical assistance, senior cabin crew Sneha Naga, along with Aishwarya Shirke, Asiya Khalid and Muskan Chauhan, coordinated the birth.
When the flight touched down at around 4 am on Thursday at Mumbai airport, medical teams were already in position. An ambulance ferried the mother and new-born to a nearby hospital. The airline staffers stayed with the duo to ensure continued support.
Air India Express said it was in touch with the Consulate General of Thailand to facilitate the mother’s safe return. “We are providing every possible assistance for her onward journey,” the airline confirmed.