The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has unveiled its 2023 Annual Safety Report, showcasing a year of unprecedented safety milestones in global aviation. The report highlights the industry’s continued advancements in safety, with several parameters marking “best-ever” outcomes.
In a remarkable achievement, 2023 witnessed no hull losses or fatal accidents involving passenger jet aircraft. Nevertheless, the year saw a tragic incident with a turboprop aircraft, leading to 72 lives lost. The aviation sector experienced a 17% increase in aircraft movements, totaling 37 million for both jet and turboprop flights.
The all accident rate dropped to 0.80 per million sectors, a significant improvement from the previous year’s 1.30, setting a new low over the past decade. This rate surpasses the five-year rolling average, emphasizing the industry’s safety advancements. The fatality risk also saw a reduction, indicating the rare chance of experiencing a fatal accident.
IATA member airlines and those registered under the IATA Operational Safety Audit recorded no fatal accidents in 2023. The year’s safety performance was marred by a single fatal accident on a turboprop, a reduction from the previous year’s five fatal accidents.
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, expressed pride in the 2023 safety performance, underscoring aviation’s position as the safest mode of transport. Despite the achievements, the occurrence of two high-profile accidents in early 2024 serves as a reminder of the continuous need for improvement.
The report also detailed regional safety performances, noting improvements across most regions except North America and Asia Pacific. The Asia-Pacific region witnessed a tragic accident in Nepal, while other areas reported zero fatality risks.
North America and Asia-Pacific saw variations in their all accident rates, with specific challenges such as landing gear collapses. Africa demonstrated significant safety improvements, thanks to initiatives like CASIP and the GASP. The Middle East, CIS, Europe, and North Asia also showed better safety rates, highlighting the global commitment to aviation safety.
Latin America and the Caribbean reversed an uptick in accidents, further evidencing the global aviation community’s dedication to enhancing safety measures.
