A Cebu Pacific Airlines plane traveling from Kuwait to Manila was diverted to India after a passenger gave birth mid-flight late Friday afternoon.
In a statement, the CEB management said 5J 019 bound for Ninoy Aquino International Airport was diverted to Kolkata, India at about 5:20 p.m. Friday as the passenger went into labor.
The airline said the cabin crew and three passengers who were registered nurses helped deliver the baby.
“The [passenger] was met by an emergency medical team upon landing of the aircraft at the airport and was taken to the nearest hospital. CEB has also contacted the Philippine Embassy in India for immediate assistance of the passenger,” the CEB management said, without identifying the woman and her nationality.
The plane departed Kolkata, India at 9:01 p.m. on the same day and was expected to arrive in Manila around 1:20 a.m. Saturday.
“We sincerely hope for our passengers’ understanding for any inconvenience this situation may have caused,” the airline said.
This was the second time a baby was delivered on board a CEB aircraft.
On Aug. 14, 2016, a baby girl, who was born four hours after Flight 5J015 left Dubai International Airport bound for Manila.
The flight was diverted to Hyderabad, India to ensure that the mother and the baby received medical assistance.
The newborn, called Haven, was given one million “Get Go” points, which she and her family can use for their future flights free of charge.
“The one million Get Go points have equivalent number of flights. Baby Haven and her family members enrolled in Get Go’s sharing circle may book for as low as 100 points for one-way domestic flights during seat sales,” Hazel Gonzales, airline corporate communications manager, said.