Mother who gave birth on flight faces compensation costs for diversion

China Airline’s largest shareholder is said to be worried that treating the situation in a positive manner may encourage recurrences

The young mother who gave birth aboard a long haul flight potentially faces paying compensation costs for diverting the flight.

Last week a China Airlines flight from Bali to Los Angeles had to divert itself to Anchorage, Alaska following the delivery of a baby girl at 30,000ft. Now, Taiwan’s Transportation Minister Chen Jian-yu has said that the mother in question will likely be liable for the costs of diverting the plane.

Mr Chen made the announcement during a session at the Legislative Yuan saying: “Compensation (to China Airlines) will likely be inevitable.”

The Taiwanese government, China Airline’s largest shareholder, is said to be worried that treating the situation positive manner may potentially encourage recurrences.

Kuomintang Legislator Lo Shu-lei has reportedly demanded that the Ministry of Transportation and Communication make the airline collect compensation from the woman, claiming the diversion cost the airline millions of Taiwanese dollars.

The mother in question, believed to have the surname Jien, is said to be potentially liable due to her flying while 36-weeks pregnant, four weeks over the limit for women to fly without fit-to-travel certificates under Taiwanese air regulations.

A Facebook post made by one of the flight attendants who delivered the baby elaborated further.

Lucienne Chen claimed that the mother failed to inform both China Airlines and airport ground staff of her pregnancy while flying.

Mr Chen also alleged that when Ms Jien’s water broke mid-flight and she started going into labour, she asked: “Are we in US air space yet?”

According to Asia One reporting, China Airlines has said of the situation “if pregnant passengers fail to provide proper medical clearance, deceive the company’s staff and thereby cause the flight to be diverted, insurance companies are required to pay compensation for passengers found liable".

Since delivering the baby girl, Jien has been deported back to Taiwan by US immigration authorities, while her child remains under care of state authorities in Alaska.