Branson meets airline’s first mid-air baby

RICHARD BRANSON yesterday met the first baby to be born on a Virgin Atlantic flight in the airline’s 20-year history.

Virgin boss Branson has offered Virginia free flights on the airline until she is 21.

The airline has also named one of its fleet planes Virginia to commemorate the birth. The little Nigerian girl, aptly named Virginia, was born mid-air on a London-bound flight from Lagos in March.

Mother Abimbola Eduwa, aged 28, was flying with her 19-month-old son, Ogbenetega, to visit relatives. She had been told by doctors that her second child was not due for another month. But just one hour into the six-and-a-half hour flight, 30,000 feet above the Sahara Desert, Mrs Eduwa began to go into labour.

She said yesterday: “I was in labour for about 10 minutes. The baby just came out. I was in my seat when I saw the baby’s head. I screamed because I was so surprised and the baby came out just like that.”

A doctor and nurse on board flight VF652 helped bank clerk Mrs Eduwa give birth to the healthy 8lb girl.

The plane was quickly re-routed back to Lagos where mother and child were taken to a medical centre near their home in the city. They were given a check and later discharged.

Virginia’s father, Chris, a 32-year-old bank worker, was back at home when his daughter was born.

Mrs Eduwa said: “He was surprised and at the same time he was very happy.”

Mr Branson said: “We will be keeping in touch with Virginia for as long as she wants to keep in touch with me. I will be delighted.”

He joked that they did not want “many more” births on Virgin Atlantic flights, adding: “This is a very special baby.”