A Thai national on board an Air India Express flight from Muscat to Mumbai gave birth mid-air on Wednesday morning, prompting coordinated emergency assistance from the cabin crew and a nurse who was among the passengers.
The incident took place on flight IX 442, which had departed from Muscat International Airport and was en route to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. Midway through the flight, the pregnant passenger began experiencing labour pains. Cabin crew immediately attended to her, and upon confirming the seriousness of the situation, sought assistance from any medically trained personnel on board.
A registered nurse, travelling as a passenger, stepped in to assist the crew. Together, they helped deliver the baby while the aircraft was still airborne. The airline confirmed that both the mother and newborn were stable at the time of landing.
Once the aircraft landed in Mumbai at 8:40 a.m., a medical team met the flight on the tarmac and transferred both the mother and child to a local hospital for further observation and care.
Air India Express released a statement following the incident, acknowledging the swift response of the cabin crew and expressing gratitude to the nurse who assisted with the delivery. The airline also confirmed that its crew members are trained in handling medical emergencies and followed established protocols during the event.
“Such events are rare but not entirely unprecedented,” an airline official said. “Our cabin crew are trained to manage a variety of medical situations, and in this case, their calm response, combined with the presence of a trained nurse, ensured a safe outcome.”
The name of the passenger and the hospital where she was admitted have not been disclosed to maintain privacy.
Mid-air births typically require special documentation and can raise questions about the child’s nationality and place of birth, depending on international aviation laws and the airline's country of registration.
However, Air India Express has not commented on those specifics in this case.
