Community / Babies on board: airline marks anniversary of twins’ arrival on plane
TWO Shetland twins who were born on board a plane have marked the 40 years since their special arrival with airline Loganair.
Lynsey Henderson was born four decades ago on 13 August on an air ambulance flight as it flew over the sea from Tingwall Airport to Aberdeen, with Dr Freshwater on hand to deliver the baby.
Younger brother David waited until the plane was on the runway at Aberdeen Airport before he made his appearance.
Loganair has marked their 40th birthdays by offering them gifts.
The company still plays a significant role in transporting patients to mainland hospital appointments today.
Lynsey and David, who had arrived four weeks earlier than their due date, were then whisked to hospital in Aberdeen for checks, alongside first-time mum Mandy and dad Adrian.
Ten days later, after a short stay in hospital, Mandy and Adrian returned home to Shetland with their new-born baby twins.
Earlier this week Lynsey and David were both welcomed back to Shetland by Loganair to be presented with a birthday gift of flight tickets from Captain Eddie Watt at Sumburgh Airport.
Watt had actually gifted birthday treats from the airline to David and Lynsey some 19 years ago for their 21st birthday.
Loganair has supported just over 20 airborne childbirths throughout its 60-year history.
More recently, Loganair renovated its regular DHC-6 Twin Otter and Saab 340 aircraft into air ambulances to support the Scottish Ambulance Service with transfers during the coronavirus pandemic.
David Henderson, a civil servant based in Lerwick, said: “It’s nice for a couple of ageing twins that our birth, on an ambulance flight 40 years ago, has become a small part of the history of the important Shetland to Aberdeen route. Our thanks to Loganair for marking the occasion.”
Loganair chief executive Jonathan Hinkles said: “We have a long history of connecting communities for all kinds of travel requirements, including the unexpected ones.
“David and Lynsey are part of a small but elite club of babies born on board with Loganair and it was great to present them with a small token to mark their 40th birthday celebrations.
“We’re very proud to still play an important role today in connecting remote communities to the mainland for NHS treatment.”
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -
- Remove non-local ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
