After Visa, World’s Heaviest Woman Faces Flight Issues

Egypt: World's heaviest woman, Eman Ahmed (36), who plans to travel to India for weight-loss surgery, is facing another hurdle after she managed to secure an Indian visa.

Charter planes and scheduled ones are not ready to transport her to India for the surgery. Additionally, there are no direct flights between Egypt and Mumbai. India-based Jet Airways has restrictions on transporting patients. The airline can transport patients on a stretcher only if they are below 136 kgs of weight. Eman weights 500 kgs and special provisions have to be made in any plane that volunteers to transport her. Meanwhile, Air India which does not have such restrictions on transporting heavy patients is said to be considering her request. According to Air India chairman Ashwani Lohani, the airline does not have a direct Cairo-Mumbai flight but needs to halt at Frankfurt.

The 36-year-old has not stepped out of her home since 25 years. Also, she cannot walk on her own and needs support. It may be recalled that following a request by Mumbai-based doctors, External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj approved Eman's visa application.