AZAL airline introduces new rules for pregnant women's travel
By Sabina Idayatova
Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has introduced new rules for transportation of pregnant women, new mothers and newborn babies, effective from August 1.
According to AZAL, from now onward future mothers can determine on their own the possibility of using air transportation and take into account a possible threat to their own or the child's health, based on their health condition or the baby's health while traveling.
Transportation of pregnant women with gestational period of more than 32 weeks and pregnant women within 7 days after giving birth via AZAL flights is not allowed.
Newborn babies are taken on AZAL flights at least 7 days after delivery and must be accompanied by their mother, father or another passenger responsible for the infant.
During pregnancy of over 26 weeks (up to 32 weeks), the female passenger should submit a certificate from the physician to an authorized airline representative confirming information on the state of her health, pregnancy term and its type (single or multiple gestation), the absence of the pregnancy abnormalities, the danger of miscarriage or premature birth, which would not allow the woman to be transported by air.
Passengers with pregnancy period of up to 26 weeks, in case of a possible negative impact on the lives and health of the womon and the child in the womb, are required to submit a form citing their refusal from any claims against the airline (in the case of confirmation of such an outcome and reasons of transportation).
AZAL, the biggest Azerbaijani airline and national flag carrier,
offers passenger flights to countries in Europe, the CIS, Middle
East and Asia. After purchasing new Boeing aircraft for long-haul
flights in 2014, the airline plans to open regular flights to
destinations in North America and South-East Asia.
The company is a regional and CIS leader for the number of new
aircraft. Its fleet currently consists of modern aircraft meeting
all safety requirements, including Boeing 757-200, Airbus А319, ATR
42, ATR 72, Airbus А320 and Boeing 767-300.
It cooperates with about 60 airlines to provide its passengers
with the opportunity to travel freely around the world.
AZAL was certified by IATA Operational Safety Audit, a program that
is an internationally recognized evaluation system designed to
assess the operational management and control systems of an
airline.