A number of recent airline incidents – including a Delta Air Lines plane flipping completely upside down while landing at Toronto Pearson on Feb. 17 – has put the safety of the global airline industry in the spotlight. But how often do aircraft actually have accidents, whether in the sky, or on the ground?
“Even with recent high profile aviation accidents, it is important to remember that accidents are extremely rare,” says IATA Director General Willie Walsh. “There were 40.6 million flights in 2024 and seven fatal accidents.
“Moreover,” he adds, “the long-term story of aviation safety is one of continuous improvement.”
Walsh points out that a decade ago, the five-year average (2011-15) was one accident for every 456,000 flights. Today, the five-year average (2020-24) is one accident for every 810,000 flights.
“That improvement is because we know that every fatality is one too many,” says Walsh.
On Wednesday, IATA released its 2024 Annual Safety Report, which says that the global aviation industry delivered “another year of strong overall performance on safety” including showing improvements on the five-year average for several key parameters; however, it acknowledged that the industry “took a step back” from a better performance in 2023:
- The all-accident rate of 1.13 per million flights (one accident per 880,000 flights) was better than the five-year average of 1.25 but worse than the 1.09 recorded in 2023.
- There were seven fatal accidents in 2024, among 40.6 million flights. That is higher than the single fatal accident recorded in 2023 and the five-year average of five fatal accidents.
- There were 244 on-board fatalities in 2024, compared to the 72 fatalities reported in 2023 and the five-year average of 144. Fatality risk remained low at 0.06, below the five-year average (0.10), although double the 0.03 reported in 2023.
Other report insights included:
- Most common accidents: Tail strikes and runway excursions were the most frequently reported accidents in 2024, underscoring the importance of take-off and landing safety measures. Notably, there were no controlled-flight-into-terrain (CFIT) accidents.
- Rising conflict zone risks: Accidents and incidents related to conflict zones are considered security-related events and are not included in the report.
- IATA members: Airlines on the registry of the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) (including all IATA member airlines) had an accident rate of 0.92 per million flights, significantly lower than the 1.70 recorded by non-IOSA carriers.
Regional safety performance
North America: With 12 accidents, the all-accident rate improved from 1.53 per million sectors in 2023 to 1.20 in 2024 and was better than the region’s five-year average of 1.26. Fatality risk has remained zero since 2020. The most common accident types in 2024 were tail strikes, followed by runway damage and runway excursions.
Latin America and the Caribbean: With five accidents in 2024, the all-accident rate increased from 0.73 accidents per million sectors in 2023 to 1.77 accidents in 2024. This was better than the five-year average of 2.00. The fatality risk increased from 0.00 in 2023 to 0.35 in 2024. The largest proportion of accidents was related to tail strikes.
Europe: With nine accidents in 2024, the all-accident rate increased slightly from 0.95 per million sectors in 2023 to 1.02 accidents in 2024. This rate is on par with the region’s five-year average accident rate of 1.02. The fatality risk rate increased from zero in 2023 to 0.03 in 2024. The largest proportion of accidents were related to tail strikes followed by runway excursions.
Asia-Pacific: With seven accidents in 2024, the all-accident rate increased from 0.92 per million sectors in 2023 to 1.04 in 2024 but remained below the five-year regional average of 1.10. Fatality risk was unchanged from 2023 at 0.15. There was no dominant classification for accidents in the region which included tail strikes, runway damage and turbulence, among others.
Africa: With 10 accidents in 2024, the all-accident rate rose from 8.36 per million sectors in 2023 to 10.59 in 2024, exceeding the five-year average of 8.46. Africa (AFI) recorded the highest accident rate, though the fatality risk remained at zero for the second year in a row. The most common accident types in 2024 were runway excursions, followed by those related to landing gear. Forty percent of all accidents involving AFI-based operators, were on turboprop aircraft.
Middle East and North Africa: With two accidents in 2024, the all-accident rate improved from 1.12 accidents per million sectors in 2023 to 1.08 in 2024 and was also better than its five-year average of 1.09. Fatality risk has remained zero since 2019.
Growing risk
IATA data a sharp increase in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-related interference, which can mislead aircraft navigation systems. While there are several back-up systems in place to support aviation safety even when these systems are affected, these incidents still pose deliberate and unacceptable risks to civil aviation, says the association. GNSS interference is most prevalent in Türkiye, Iraq, and Egypt.
Reports of GNSS interference – including signal disruptions, jamming, and spoofing – surged between 2023 and 2024. Interference rates increased by 175%, while GPS spoofing incidents spiked by 500%.
“The sharp rise in GNSS interference events is deeply concerning,” says Walsh. “Reliable navigation is fundamental to safe and efficient flight operations. Immediate steps by governments and air navigation service providers are needed to stop this practice, improve situational awareness, and ensure that airlines have the necessary tools to operate safely in all areas.”
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