An Etihad Airways pilot died onboard a flight from Abu Dhabi to Amsterdam, the airline said on Wednesday.

The flight, EY 927, was a freight service and no commercial passengers were on-board. It departed the capital at its regularly scheduled time of 5.20am and the pilot's condition deteriorated shortly after the plane was airborne.

“After the captain became incapacitated early in the flight, the First Officer issued an emergency call and safely diverted the aircraft to Kuwait,” according to an Etihad Aiways spokeswoman.

“A medical team met the aircraft upon landing in Kuwait to assist the pilot on-board. However, after receiving medical treatment, he was pronounced deceased.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss and are focused on taking care of our late colleague's family at this time, to whom we offer our heartfelt condolences.”

The airline employs at least two pilots for each flight. Etihad did not release the pilot’s name, age or nationality.