Passengers with special needs

1. Can a pregnant woman travel by plane?

Yes. However, the International Air Transport Association recommends pregnant women to have a valid doctor’s certificate indicating that they can travel. Such a certificate is necessary in the following cases:

• Less than 1 month has remained to delivery;
• Pregnancy is complicated;
• Previous deliveries were complicated.

In accordance with the applicable airlines' rules (General Rules of Passenger and Cargo Carriage), pregnant women are not accepted on board after the 36th week (9 months) of pregnancy.

2. What is the “Form of eligibility of pregnant women to fly” or a medical certificate?

Passengers whose pregnancy is 28 weeks or more must have a doctor’s permission during the flight – a filled in and valid medical certificate. The certificate must contain the following information:

• exact flight date and flight number;
• gestation term;
• confirmation that pregnancy is without any complications;
• doctor's confirmation that the woman can travel;
• doctor's signature and seal.

3. Which passengers must travel with an accompanying person?

Passengers whose mobility is reduced, who are not independent and may pose a threat to the security must be accompanied by a physically strong person older than 16 years of age.

4. Is assistance free for disabled people at the airport and during the flight?

Yes, the assistance is free. Each airline provides all qualified assistance to disabled persons and passengers with reduced mobility as provided in the requirements of the EC Regulation 1107/2006. Disabled people at all European airports, from which they fly or to which they arrive, are entitled to free assistance. Disabled passengers must provide in advance (for at least 48 hours prior to the flight) the airlines they are traveling with or the agency from which they purchased the airline tickets with the information on what assistance will be needed during the flight. If the disabled person needs constant help, e.g., with taking medicines or eating, the airlines may require that the passenger is accompanied by a nurse.