It is always difficult to write about such topics, but in this case it is important due to Saudia’s importance to the Kingdom’s economy as well as its role as a Saudi player in the global economy.

A number of Saudi newspapers wrote about what happened to the pilot. Al-Madinah newspaper interviewed the deceased’s bereaved father who claims his son was denied medical treatment prior to his death due to the hospital’s financial dispute with the pilot’s employer. 

And what if the late pilot was on an international flight to Europe and he died in the cabin and an investigation was opened about his health? A number of airline companies — especially those from developing countries — have been banned from landing their plane on European Union territory due to  substandard safety measures.

The second half of the incident relates to the health and psychological condition of the pilots. In every international airline company, there are sections devoted to aviation safety. Even in the US and European countries pilots have encountered health crises while flying. Some of them have even died during the flight. This is why airline companies place special emphasis on the sound physical and psychological health of their pilots.

It is sad to lose a young Saudi pilot, but it is also devastating to know that a hospital in the country refused to treat him.

There are also unconfirmed reports that there was a heated discussion between the pilot and a top Saudia official before he took off that might have caused his blood pressure to spike. We want to know from Saudia if this is true or not. Do we not have emergency clinics in our international airports? We want an explanation.