Flybe is offering a lifeline to expectant mums in the later stages of pregnancy.

Currently, women who are more than 34 weeks pregnant are not permitted to fly even with a medical certificate stating they are fit to fly. These rules can lead to some women having to travel and stay away from home to receive medical treatments that may not be available where they live.

After much investigation, Flybe has announced that, on specific routes only, it can accommodate women at any stage of pregnancy who need to attend mainland hospitals and who hold a signed medical certificate confirming that they are fit to fly.

Flybe’s approved routes are:

• Jersey to/from Southampton
• Guernsey to/from Southampton
• Jersey to/from London Gatwick
• Guernsey to/from London Gatwick
• Isle of Man to/from Liverpool.

Women who are between 28 and 34 weeks pregnant still require a medical certificate and can travel on any route.

Consultant and Honorary Senior Lecturer in Feto-Maternal Medicine at Southampton University Hospital, David Howe comments: “We are delighted that Flybe has been able to make this critical policy change. To the small number of women each year to which this is so important, this will make a huge difference at a time when they are already under considerable stress for other reasons and I am very grateful that Flybe has taken the time and trouble to consider and change this policy.”