TAIPEI, Taiwan — A woman deported to her homeland Taiwan after giving birth on a flight to the U.S. in an apparent attempt to give her baby American citizenship may have to pay hefty compensation for forcing the plane to divert.
The China Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Alaska en route from Taipei to Los Angeles on Oct. 8. Airline spokeswoman Weni Lee said the airline’s insurance firm is deciding whether to ask the passenger to cover costs of the stopover to ensure the health of her baby.
Taiwanese media have estimated the bill at $33,000, although the airline said its insurer is still calculating the cost.
Local reports said the woman evidently wanted to give the child American citizenship and failed to tell the airline she was close to giving birth. Her act has sparked questions in relatively well-off Taiwan about her motive.
The woman, whose identity has been kept confidential, was sent back Saturday from Alaska to Taiwan without the baby. American authorities have not said why.
