Baby girl born midair on Finnair flight

Helsinki, Nov 21 (IANS) A baby girl was born aboard a Finnair flight from Bangkok to Helsinki, above Kazakhstan at an altitude of 11,000 metres, officials said. The baby's Swedish mother, who was returning from Thailand, and the child are in good health.

The birth took place Thursday with the assistance of a doctor from the MedLink medical service - who is available round the clock for Finnair flights - by satellite phone link between two doctors and two nurses travelling as passengers.

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Upon arrival at the Helsinki-Vantaa airport, both the mother and child were taken to the hospital immediately.

Christer Haglund, senior vice president, corporate communications of Finnair said: 'This is a unique occasion for Finnair, since no birth has ever taken place on one of our flights before. The family will get return Finnair flights to Bangkok as a gift.'

The 10 hours 50 minutes flight had 227 passengers on board.

According to recommendations of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), pregnant passengers beyond their 28th week of pregnancy must provide a doctor's certificate confirming that the pregnancy has proceeded normally.

Pregnant passengers may travel up to the end of their 36th week, and on Finnair's short domestic and Scandinavian flights they may travel up to the end of the 38th week provided that the pregnancy has proceeded normally.