Saudi plane makes emergency landing in Cairo after cabin manager dies mid-flight

Egypt Independent

a day ago

Cairo International Airport witnessed an emergency landing Thursday by a Saudia, formerly known as Saudi Arabian Airlines, flight en route from Jeddah to London. The diversion occurred after the cabin manager suffered a sudden heart attack, which tragically led to his death during the flight.
According to aviation and security sources, Cairo Airport's air traffic control tower received an emergency alert from the pilot, prompting the flight to change its course and land at the nearest available airport to handle the situation.
Saudia issued an official statement via its 'X' platform, confirming that cabin manager Mohsen bin Saeed Al-Zahrani passed away due to a sudden health issue while performing his duties on board. The airline expressed its heartfelt condolences to his family, praying for his mercy and forgiveness.
The second pilot successfully managed the flight and executed a safe landing at Cairo Airport. A medical team immediately boarded the aircraft to assess the situation, confirming that Al-Zahrani had passed away before the plane landed.
His body was subsequently transferred to a nearby hospital, while the Egyptian Public Prosecution has initiated an investigation into the circumstances of the death to rule out any criminal suspicion.
The aircraft later resumed its journey to London after all necessary legal and health procedures were completed. Official statements have not yet disclosed additional details regarding the precise cause of death or further identification of the deceased.
Emergency landings due to sudden health emergencies, while rare, are not unprecedented. In June 2024, Jeddah International Airport also saw an Egyptian Sky Vision plane make an emergency landing after its pilot, Captain Hassan Youssef Adas, died from a sudden heart attack during a flight from Cairo to Taif.