Originally Posted by
Johnny F@rt Pants
I think Wiggy is right, there are no more now than there used to be, they are just more accessible.
I also think the time of year has lots to do with it, you tend to get an older generation travelling more in the “off season”, particularly VFR around Christmas, and older passengers often suffer more illnesses, not helped by the atmosphere in an aeroplane at altitude.
I agree, also because of the immovable nature of Christmas and the various other religeous festivals at this time of year, there isn't the usual option of delaying travel until the unwell person feels more able to travel. They take a chance that they'll arrive OK and sometimes they lose, as do the airline and everybody else involved.