Though some airline safety key performance metrics improved compared with five-year averages, the industry in 2024 "took a step back from an exceptional performance in 2023," according to the International Air Transport Association's 2024 Annual Safety Report, released Wednesday.
The total number of accidents in 2024 for passenger and cargo flights increased to 46 from the 42 reported in 2023, with the five-year average (2020-2024) at 39. The all-accident rate of 1.13 per million flights was better than the five-year average of 1.25, but higher than the 1.09 recorded in 2023, according to IATA. Airlines on the registry of the IATA Operational Safety Audit had an accident rate of 0.92 per million flights, lower than the 1.70 recorded by non-IOSA carriers.
The number of fatal accidents jumped to seven from one, with 244 on-board fatalities in 2024 compared with 72 in 2023. The five-year average for the number of fatal accidents was five and for on-board fatalities was 144. The fatality risk "remained low" at 0.06, below the five-year average of 0.10, but double the 0.03 reported in 2023.
The most common types of accidents were tail strikes and runway excursions.
"Even with recent high profile aviation accidents, it is important to remember that accidents are extremely rare," IATA director general Willie Walsh said in a statement. "Moreover, the long-term story of aviation safety is one of continuous improvement. A decade ago, the five-year average (2011-2015) was one accident for every 456,000 flights. Today, the five-year average (2022-2024) is one accident for every 810,000 flights. That improvement is because we know that every fatality is one too many."
Regional Air Safety Performance
North America in 2024 recorded 12 accidents, and its all-accident rate improved to 1.20 accidents per million flights from 1.53 in 2023. "While no accidents have been linked to debris from space operations, the increasing number of rocket launches presents challenges for air traffic management," according to IATA.
Europe recorded nine accidents in 2024, and its all-accident rate increased to 1.02 accidents per million flights from 0.95 in 2023, but the rate is even with the region's five-year average accident rate. The fatality risk was at 0.03 compared with zero in 2023.
Asia-Pacific in 2024 had seven accidents. Its all-accident rate increased to 1.04 accidents per million flights from 0.92 in 2023, but it remained below the five-year average of 1.10. The region's fatality risk remained unchanged at 0.15.
The Middle East and North Africa had two accidents in 2024. Its all-accident rate improved to 1.08 accidents per million flights from 1.12 a year prior and was better than its five-year average of 1.09. "While no accidents were related to Global Navigation Satellite System interference, it has emerged as a critical area of concern in the region," according to IATA.
Africa reported 10 accidents in 2024 and the highest regional all-accident rate of 10.59 accidents per million flights, up from 8.36 in 2023. It also exceeded its five-year average of 8.46. Still, the region's fatality risk remained at zero for the second year in a row.
Latin America and the Caribbean reported five accidents in 2024. Its all-accident rate increased to 1.77 accidents per million flights from 0.73 a year prior, but it remained better than the five-year average of 2.00. The region's fatality risk increased to 0.35 from zero a year prior.
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