Saudia Airlines tragedy: Crew member dies aboard Jeddah to London flight, diverted to Cairo

A routine international flight turned tragic on Thursday, June 26, when Mohsen bin Saeed Alzahrani , a cabin manager with Saudi Arabia’s national airline Saudia , died mid-flight following a sudden medical emergency. The incident occurred aboard Flight SV119 , which had departed from Jeddah and was en route to London.

The severity of the situation led the flight crew to divert the aircraft to Cairo International Airport , where Alzahrani was formally pronounced dead. The airline later confirmed that immediate medical attention was administered onboard by crew members and medically licensed individuals traveling on the flight, but efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.

In an official statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Saudia confirmed the incident, stating:

“Despite the immediate and valiant efforts of fellow crew members and medically licensed individuals onboard, he was pronounced deceased upon the aircraft's arrival at Cairo International Airport.”

Support and Condolences from the Airline
The airline described the loss as “a heartbreaking moment in which we lost one of our most dedicated team members.” Alzahrani was remembered with deep respect and admiration. Saudia praised him as “a shining example of commitment and discipline, admired by his peers for his integrity, professionalism, and high moral character.”

The statement continued by offering condolences to Alzahrani’s family, colleagues, and friends and affirming the airline’s commitment to fully supporting them during this difficult time. Saudia is working closely with the Saudi Embassy in Egypt to complete the procedures for repatriating Alzahrani’s body back to the Kingdom.

“Saudia remains fully committed to supporting his loved ones and all those affected by this profound loss,” the airline stated.

In the wake of the tragedy, Saudia praised the remarkable courage and professionalism of the flight crew, who managed the situation with composure and continued the journey under exceptionally difficult circumstances. The airline also thanked passengers onboard for their understanding and cooperation during the ordeal.

Mid-Air Deaths: Rare But Not Unprecedented

While rare, deaths during commercial flights do occur and often necessitate emergency landings. In October 2024, a Turkish Airlines pilot collapsed and died mid-flight, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing in New York. Similarly, in February 2023, a flydubai flight from Dubai to Dhaka had to divert to Karachi after a passenger passed away during the journey.

These incidents serve as solemn reminders of the unpredictable nature of in-flight medical emergencies and the critical role played by cabin crew in responding under pressure.