Off Duty Pilot Dies As Qatar Airways Airbus A350 Diverts To Dubai

Qatar Airways

The senior pilot, noted for his prior experience with Alliance Air and SpiceJet, fell ill and passed away en route from Delhi to Doha.

Qatar Airways flight QR579 to Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH) was diverted to Dubai International Airport (DXB) on Wednesday following the death of a senior off-duty pilot traveling onboard.

“A big shock for everyone who knew him”

The Airbus A350-900 (A7-ALM) departing New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) on August 16 was diverted to Dubai, citing a medical emergency less than half an hour before its expected arrival in Doha.

As the Times of India reported, the pilot, a 51-year-old senior officer at Qatar Airways, fell ill during the flight and was later declared dead. Speaking to the news outlet, a colleague expressed shock at the pilot’s death.

“He was very fit, and his untimely demise has come as a big shock for everyone who knew him.”

The pilot is noted for his extensive aviation experience, having previously worked with Alliance Air before moving on to SpiceJet in 2005, operating the carrier’s inaugural service from New Delhi to Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD). In 2022 he joined Qatar Airways, serving onboard the carrier’s Boeing 777 fleet.

After an hour stopover at Dubai, the flight carried on to Doha, landing at 06:00 AST.

Qatar Airways has been approached for comment.