Baby born at 33,000ft mid-flight to Italy as mum goes into labour two months early

A baby has been born on a flight to Italy after a mum went into labour two-months early. Cabin crew were alerted to the situation just an hour after take-off from Dakar, Senegal, on the ITA Airways flight and the baby had to be delivered on board. An improvised birthing room was set up in the gallery and in front of the exit. Two passengers, a doctor and a nurse, volunteered to help the woman who was seven months pregnant. And ITA Airways confirmed later a passenger gave birth on board flight AZ855 from Dakar to Rome Fiumicino on the night of April 29. Passenger Sandro Pisu, 58, told Italian newspaper Il Messaggero: “I was asleep, but when they asked if a doctor was available, I immediately thought someone had fallen ill. It was all very confusing; the news came in fragments. We couldn’t believe a woman had given birth.” It took only an hour for the baby boy to be born and the news was greeted by cheers from the cabin. The plane returned to Blaise Diagne Airport in Dakar where the mum and baby were taken to a hospital to be checked up. A statement from the airline on Facebook read: "A pleasant and unexpected event made ITA Airways’ day. On flight AZ855 that departed from Dakar last night and headed to Rome Fiumicino, an hour after take-off a seven-month pregnant woman gave birth to a baby prematurely. "The mother and the baby received immediate assistance from the crew, who demonstrated great professionalism, and two passengers, a doctor and a nurse, to whom the company deserves the most sincere thanks. "The baby, in perfect health, is the first baby born on board an aircraft in ITA Airways history, wishing the baby a wonderful life full of joys."