PK716: Baby on board...
December 12, 2017
KARACHI: What happened onboard Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight PK716 is not a first of its kind incident, but surely a first for the national carrier. Bound for Multan from Medina the flight ended up landing in Karachi due to inclement weather, but when it landed there was one more passenger on board.
Among the 160 or so passengers returning from Medina was a rural family from Multan. A young man, his wife and his mother. The young wife was an expecting mother and as per reports, was seven months (approximately 30 weeks) into her pregnancy. Internationally, the rules for pregnant passengers vary; some welcome passengers 28 weeks into the pregnancy and others up to 30 days prior to the expected date of delivery. However, the expectant mothers are required to carry a letter from their doctor or midwife and often a pregnancy record outlining that there are no complications. Additionally, airlines also make the expectant mother sign an indemnity bond absolving the airline from any backlash in case the pressurised cabin results in any complications.
Speaking to Geo.tv, Captain Gondal recalled that the expecting family signed the indemnity bond as per protocol. He did not feel the family had misled the airline about how far along the mother was.
"When I asked the husband of the expecting passenger about his occupation, he responded that he had a 'Hawayi Rozi' (daily wager doing odd jobs)," Captain Gondal told Geo.tv before adding, "I don't think they lied about how far along she was, being a rural family it is possible they didn't know the exact dates, the family was returning from pilgrimage."
It was about 10 minutes past 6AM PST (01:10UTC) when Captain Gondal was informed that the expecting mother was complaining about labour pains.
Cabin crew onboard Pakistan International Airlines like all other international airlines is trained for in-flight medical emergencies (IFME). These can vary from a passenger experiencing something as minor as a headache, air sickness all the way to dealing with a heart attack onboard or a special delivery.
Over the next few minutes, as PK716 flew over Iran, the cabin crew prepared for every possible scenario that could manifest before the aircraft landed. From delivering the baby to cutting the umbilical cord, everything was discussed.
However, there was another superhero on board. The mother-in-law.
Coming from a rural background where most babies are born with the help of midwives and the mother's often never see a gynaecologist; the expecting passenger's mother-in-law took charge of the situation.
It has been learnt, that within fifteen minutes of Captain Gondal being informed that the expecting mother was complaining about labour pains, he was given the good news. At 6:25AM (01:25UTC) PK716 had one more passenger. A baby girl had been born.
As PK716 continued towards its destination (Multan), seeing inclement weather ahead, Captain Gondal decided it was better to divert to Karachi. After permission was granted the Airbus turned towards the port city landing a little before 8:00AM local time.
Nationality and free tickets
The laws vary depending over which country the aircraft was flying when a baby was born. In the case of the United States of America, where the jus soli (right of the soil) is applicable, a baby born in American airspace or waters is granted a US citizenship. The same is the case for Canada; however, in both countries, there are certain special cases. In Canada, if the baby is born over international waters the matter is assessed on a case to case basis, while in the USA if the child is born to parents that are not 'subject to the jurisdiction of the United States will not be automatically granted citizenship.
In the case of most other countries the jus sanguinis (right of blood) law, citizenship is not determined by place of birth but rather by the parents' citizenship.
Some lucky babies born onboard an aircraft have been given free air travel for life by the airline, but that is not a standard practice. In the case of the baby born onboard PK716, no free air travel has been offered.
- Ovais Jafar is a Multimedia Journalist currently serving as Editor Geo.tv (English), Editor Multimedia Geo News. He tweets @ovaisjafar
