KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 (Bernama) -- The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that in 2025, the global all-accident rate improved to 1.32 accidents per million flights (one accident per 759,646 flights), better than the 1.42 recorded in 2024 but slightly above the 2021–2025 five-year average of 1.27.
In its 2025 Annual Safety Report, IATA said there were 51 accidents among 38.7 million flights in 2025, fewer than the 54 accidents among 37.9 million flights in 2024, but above the five-year average of 44 accidents.
“There were eight fatal accidents in 2025, higher than the seven fatal accidents recorded in 2024 and above the five-year average of six fatal accidents,” it said in a statement following the release of the report.
The association said there were 394 onboard fatalities in 2025, higher than the 244 fatalities reported in 2024 and the five-year average of 198.
“Flying is the safest form of long-distance travel. Accidents are extremely rare and each one reminds us to be even more focused on continuous improvement through global standards and collaboration guided by safety data.
“The result of that effort is clear in how the five-year rolling average rate for fatal accidents has improved,” said IATA director general Willie Walsh.
He noted that a decade ago the rate stood at one fatal accident for every 3.5 million flights (2012–2016).
Today, it is one fatal accident for every 5.6 million flights (2021–2025).
“Flying is so safe that even one accident among the nearly 40 million flights operated annually moves the global data.
“The goal for aviation remains zero accidents and zero fatalities,” Walsh said.
The report also stated that the most common accident types globally were tail strikes, landing gear events, runway excursions, and ground damage, highlighting the importance of safety during take-off, landing and ground handling operations.
Airport facilities contributed to 16 per cent of accidents in 2025, reinforcing the need to comply with global runway safety standards.
“Airport infrastructure and runway environments play a critical role in accident outcomes.
“In several events, rigid obstacles near runways increased accident severity, likely turning otherwise survivable occurrences into fatal ones,” Walsh said.
He added that all airports and regulators should continuously review runway safety areas and structures near runways for compliance with global safety standards.
In the Asia-Pacific region, the all-accident rate improved to 0.91 in 2025 from 1.08 per million sectors in 2024, better than the five-year average of 0.99, with six accidents recorded.
Fatality risk remained unchanged at 0.15 in 2025 (when rounded to two decimal places), although the precise rate declined slightly. The most common accident types in the region were ground damage and tail strikes.
Meanwhile, Walsh also warned of rising global risks linked to conflict zones and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference.
“Civil aircraft must never be placed at risk from military activity--deliberately or accidentally.
“When tensions rise, governments must share timely risk information, ensure effective civil-military coordination, restrict airspace where needed, and provide airlines with sufficient information for their own risk assessments,” he added.
-- BERNAMA
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