A passenger on a Cathay Pacific flight from Amsterdam to Hong Kong died after collapsing during the final stages of the nearly 12-hour journey, authorities in Hong Kong confirmed.

The 72-year-old Dutch man lost consciousness while the aircraft was descending toward Hong Kong International Airport early on January 11; cabin crew and a doctor onboard provided first aid as the flight neared landing, according to statements from local police and aviation officials.

Flight CX270 departed Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in the afternoon and was scheduled to arrive at Hong Kong at approximately 7:38 a.m. local time.

As the jet approached the airport, crew members were alerted to the passenger’s collapse and immediately administered emergency care.

After the Airbus A350 touched down, paramedics boarded the aircraft and transported the man to North Lantau Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

According to local police authorities, a post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the precise cause of death, though early reports noted that the passenger had complained of a severe headache during the flight and had been given medication by crew.

He had been travelling with his wife, who is 69, and the couple were reportedly en route to visit family in Australia via a connecting flight.

Cathay Pacific issued a brief statement expressing deep sadness at the loss and offering condolences to the family, noting that its crew acted promptly to provide assistance once the medical emergency was reported.

In-flight medical incidents on long-haul services, while rare, can pose significant challenges given the duration of travel and limited resources at altitude, underscoring the importance of trained cabin crews and available responders.