The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released its 2024 annual safety report, highlighting a mixed year of aviation safety. The long-term trends show continuous improvement, but 2024 recorded an increase in accidents and deaths compared to 2023.
Important findings:
Overall accident rate: 1.13 flights per 1.13 flights, slightly worse than 2023 (1.09), but better than the 5-year average (1.25). Fatal Accidents: Seven incidents resulted in 244 deaths. UP from one fatal accident and 72 deaths in 2023. Risks of conflict zones: The collapse of aircraft in Kazakhstan and Sudan has strengthened the urgency of international security measures. The most common accidents: tail strikes and runway excursions were the main causes. Controlled Flights – Terrain (CFIT) accidents are not recorded. Safety personality differences: Airlines registered with the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) had a significantly lower accident rate (0.92 flights per million flights) than non-Oiosa carriers (1.70).
IATA Director Willie Walsh highlighted the need for better intelligence sharing and global cooperation to address the threat of conflict zones that surged 175% in 2024 and the increase in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference.
“All fatalities are too many,” Walsh said. “The government must now take action to enhance aviation safety.”
Local insights
In North America, there were zero fatal accidents, lower accident rates and improved safety. Africa recorded the highest accident rate (10.59 flights per million flights), but the fatal risk remained zero. The Asia-Pacific region experienced an increase in accidents, but maintained a stable and fatal risk. Europe reported a slight increase in accident rates, with tail strikes being the most common problem. The Middle East and North Africa continued strong safety records without fatal accidents. Latin America and the Caribbean more than doubled the accident rate as the fatal risk increased significantly.
IATA called for a more timely and transparent accident investigation, as only 57% of the reports from 2018 to 2023 were completed.
I'm looking forward to it
The IATA urged governments and aviation authorities to strengthen global protocols, enhance safety data sharing, and mitigate new threats such as GNSS interference and the risk of conflict zones.
The complete IATA 2024 Safety Report is available on your organization's website.
