Johannesburg, 20 June 2024 – LIFT has praised staff, crew and Doctors onboard flight GE375,  for their exceptional response to a surprising new passenger born just moments before the aircraft was due to take off, from Durban to Cape Town on Monday evening.

“An expectant mom was assisted by our crew shortly after boarding the flight, as she had expressed that she was not feeling well,” explains Jonathan Ayache, LIFT CEO. “Safety is always our priority, and while the mother was under the regulated 32 week mark, it was safest for her to disembark.”

“Whilst the gate staff were fetching a wheelchair to take the pregnant passenger to the departure lounge, she informed the crew that she had gone into labour”, he says.

What followed was nothing short of amazing, as the expectant mom gave birth on the airbridge within a matter of minutes.

“We’re grateful to the Doctors we had as passengers on the flight, who disembarked from the flight to check on the vitals of the baby. Moments later, ER24 medics arrived and took over.

Ayache praised all involved in the unexpected delivery, noting the amazing work by the crew, who maintained calm and professional throughout the event.

A stretcher was brought up and mom and baby were transported to Ethekwini Hospital, and after following up with the family, LIFT can confirm both mom and baby are healthy and doing well.

This particular LIFT flight was operated by Africa Charter Airline and their crew, with a LIFT cabin crew representative on board. Ayache would like to give thanks to the cabin crew, as well as the LIFT ground crew, Doctors, and paramedics involved, “It’s not everyday we have a baby born on a flight, it was a special moment for everyone involved, and certainly a memorable one for LIFT! Well done to all who ensured things went as smoothly as possible.”