In an extraordinary early-morning incident at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai, the quick and coordinated response of airport medical and operational teams led to the safe birth of a baby girl inside an airport ambulance, turning a potential crisis into a moment of hope and new life.
At 5:17 am on February 10, while most of Mumbai slept, airport medical staff received an urgent alert: a 26-year-old Tanzanian woman, 36 weeks pregnant, was experiencing severe abdominal pain while transiting through the International-to-International corridor. Recognising the urgency, doctors and paramedics mobilised immediately.
The woman was carefully moved onto an airport ambulance stretcher and transported via terminal lift to the airside ambulance. Airline personnel and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) assisted throughout, while Terminal Operations coordinated with immigration officials to issue a temporary transit visa, preventing delays during this critical moment.
By 5:40 am, the ambulance departed for the hospital. Soon, the situation escalated as the passenger went into full labour amid early-morning traffic. Inside the moving vehicle, the medical team acted decisively. At 5:45 am, a healthy baby girl was born in the ambulance, attended by trained doctors and paramedics, with immediate neonatal care administered, including clamping the umbilical cord, oral suctioning, and Kangaroo Mother Care.
By 5:55 am, both mother and child reached the hospital’s emergency ward, where obstetrics and paediatrics teams confirmed that both were stable and healthy.
The successful outcome was the result of seamless collaboration. Airport medical staff, Terminal Operations, airline personnel, immigration officials, and CISF worked in sync. The attending team—Dr Kritika, Dr Madhu, Dr Kisley, paramedics Madhuri and Ashok, and ambulance driver Omkar—ensured the emergency was handled with professionalism and care.
For Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), a subsidiary of Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), such events highlight the human side of aviation. Beyond terminals and runways, airports are ultimately about people. In this case, the airport became the setting for a new life, delivered safely thanks to preparation, expertise, and compassion.
Timeline of Events
- 5:17 am: Medical emergency alert received for a pregnant passenger at CSMIA
- 5:40 am: Ambulance departs airport for hospital
- 5:45 am: Baby girl delivered inside ambulance
- 5:55 am: Mother and newborn arrive at hospital stable and healthy
This incident serves as a reminder that, in unexpected circumstances, well-coordinated teams can turn emergencies into miracles, even in transit.
