Flight from Colombia to Frankfurt diverted to Manchester after birth of baby

On the 26th of July, Lufthansa flight 543 had to make an abrupt stop at Manchester airport after a passenger gave birth.

Although the situation sounds less than ideal, the new mother was well supported by the cabin crew, in addition to three doctors who were also on board. The baby was born approximately one hour and forty-five minutes away from Manchester, over the Atlantic Ocean. According to a spokesperson for the airline: “In order to give the best medical care and assistance to the mother and baby the crew decided to divert the flight to Manchester, where it landed at 1.09pm local time". The passenger and her newborn son were then taken to a local hospital for further care.

The airplane was then scheduled to continue its journey to Frankfurt at 14:30. Such an occasion is considered an extraordinary circumstance and passengers affected by the delay are not entitled to compensation.