Star of Mrs Brown’s Boys Fiona O’Carroll has revealed she was turned away from a Stobart Air plane, which was running as an Aer Lingus Regional flight, for being 36 weeks pregnant, despite having a doctor’s letter clearing her to fly.
The daughter of Brendan O’Carroll had been in Glasgow to record a live Mrs Brown’s Boys DVD and was told by the pilot that when she was on the tarmac she would not be allowed to fly home to Dublin.
“I got as far as the tarmac before I was stopped at the steps of the plane. It was the captain in the end who ultimately called it, and said no,” she said.
Refused: Fiona was refused on a return flight to Dublin | VIPIRELAND.COM
“I’m 36 weeks gone and have a letter from my doctor saying I’m fit to fly for the month of September.”
“I even had my solicitor with me, who said I would sign a waiver relieving Stobart Air of any responsibility if I did have any problems while flying but they still refused,” she told the Irish Sun.
The TV star, who is expecting her fourth child, revealed that she had inquired with Aer Lingus before she booked her flights if there would be any issues about her travelling.
“I spoke to people in Aer Lingus before I even booked the tickets to ask if it would be OK. They said it would,” she admitted.
Issues: Fiona said she had inquired if there would be any issues with her flying | VIPIRELAND.COM
“They let me fly over to Glasgow but they didn’t let me on the return flight home. Hopefully it won’t happen to anyone else.”
Although turned away from going on the flight, Fiona and her husband Martin Delany booked a flight with Ryanair, who allow expectant women to fly up until the end of week 36 in their pregnancy.
Since this incident occurred, Aer Lingus Regional has issued a statement highlighting that the “health and safety of passengers” is their priority.
“Pregnant passengers between weeks 32-35 must have their doctor complete an ‘expectant mother travel advice form’. Aer Lingus Regional does not permit passengers who are over 36 weeks pregnant to fly,” they said.
