Dubai: Asian low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific is giving a baby born on a Dubai-Manila flight 1 million “GetGo” points to mark its first on-board birth — but not free lifetime tickets for 'Haven', its chief executive said.
Lance Gokongwei, Cebu Pacific President and CEO, said: "To celebrate this momentous occasion in the life of one of our passengers, CEB (airline) awards Baby Haven one million GetGo points, which she can use to fly with us for free."
The girl was born while the aircraft was cruising at 36,000 feet halfway from Dubai to Manila on August 14 -- the first time a baby had been delivered onboard the no-frills carrier.
At 32 weeks gestation, Baby Haven made a premature but dramatic entrance into the world approximately four hours after Flight 5J015's departure from the Dubai International Airport Sunday, August 14, 2016.
The pilot decided to divert the aircraft to Rajiv Gandhi International in Hyderabad, India, some 45 minutes away from the time he learnt about the on-board birth.
Baby's premature birth diverts Dubai-Manila flight to India
The cabin crew, along with two registered nurses who were also passengers on the flight, assisted with the delivery in the Airbus A330-300’s kitchen.
The pilot, Captain Ralph Prado, diverted the flight to Rajiv Gandhi International in Hyderabad, India, to ensure the mother and baby received medical assistance.
Assistance in India
The airline said both mother and baby, who was born premature at 32 weeks, are being assisted by the airline’s Customer Care team.
"We are happy that both mother and daughter are doing well, and would like to commend our flight and cabin crew for handling the situation with utmost professionalism and efficiency. We also express our sincerest gratitude to the two volunteer nurses who helped ensure the baby's safe delivery," Gokongwei stated on the company's website.
GetGo, the carrier's rewards, gives card bearers 1 point for every Php5 (or about 9 points per US dollar) of purchase.
Members' perks include earning points when they fly with Cebu Pacific, while rewards include free trips. Members may use points on fares, add-ons and purchases in select retail and food outlets.
As such, baby Haven and her family members enrolled in GetGo's “sharing circle” may book for as low as 100 points for one-way domestic flights during seat sales.
Cebu Pacific, founded in 1996, has revolutionised the Philippines' civil aviation industry, overtaking legacy carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), Asia's oldest airline.
Cebu Pacific today has over 100 domestic routes and 30 international destinations spanning Asia, Australia, the Middle East and the US.
Baby Haven's points have no expiry, and may be shared with her family, the airline said.
