A Saudi Airlines flight en route from Jeddah to London made an emergency landing at Cairo International Airport following the sudden death of the cabin director mid-flight. The tragic incident occurred when Mohsen bin Saeed Al-Zahrani, a senior crew member and the flight’s cabin director, suffered a fatal heart attack while carrying out his duties onboard.
According to aviation and security sources at Cairo International Airport, the aircraft’s captain issued a distress call to air traffic control after Al-Zahrani collapsed and became unresponsive during the flight. Egyptian aviation authorities quickly coordinated the emergency landing to allow immediate medical intervention. The aircraft was diverted and landed safely in Cairo under the guidance of the co-pilot.
Upon arrival, a medical team boarded the aircraft and confirmed that Al-Zahrani had passed away before the plane touched down. His body was respectfully transferred to a nearby hospital morgue, and Egypt’s Public Prosecution opened a formal investigation to confirm the cause of death and rule out any foul play, though no suspicion of criminal activity has been suggested thus far.
Saudi Airlines released an official statement on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), expressing deep sorrow over the loss of their colleague. “With great sadness, we mourn the passing of cabin director Mohsen bin Saeed Al-Zahrani, who succumbed to a sudden health crisis while performing his duty onboard,” the statement read. The airline extended its condolences to his family and praised his service and dedication.
The incident caused a temporary delay in the flight schedule. After all legal and medical protocols were completed, the flight resumed its journey to London with a different crew configuration. The airline has not released further details about Al-Zahrani’s medical history, citing respect for his family’s privacy.
This tragic event underscores the rare but serious health risks aviation professionals face while performing high-stress roles at altitude. Airline authorities and medical experts emphasize the importance of regular health screenings for flight crew members, especially those in key operational positions.
The aviation community in Saudi Arabia and beyond has responded with an outpouring of condolences for Al-Zahrani, remembering him as a dedicated professional who served with honor. Saudi Airlines has pledged to support his family during this difficult time and will honor his memory in upcoming internal tributes.
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