In 2024, the number of airline accidents and fatalities increased compared to the previous year, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The latest Annual Safety Report reveals that while long-term aviation safety trends remain positive, accident rates were higher than in 2023.
For every million flights, around 1.13 accidents occurred in 2024, compared to 1.09 accidents per million flights in 2023. IATA recorded 46 accidents across 40.6 million flights, with seven fatal accidents, an increase from just one the previous year. The number of onboard fatalities also rose significantly from 72 in 2023 to 244 in 2024.
Despite this, the overall risk of a fatal accident remained relatively low at 0.06 per million flights, meaning a passenger would have to take more than 16 million flights on average to be involved in a fatal accident.
“Even with recent high-profile aviation accidents, it is important to remember that accidents are extremely rare,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general. “Moreover, the long-term story of aviation safety is one of continuous improvement.”
The most common types of accidents in 2024 were tail strikes and runway excursions, while no controlled-flight-into-terrain (CFIT) incidents were recorded. The report also highlighted growing security concerns, including the downing of two aircraft in conflict zones and an increase in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference.
Safety performance varied by region. North America recorded fewer accidents, while Africa had the highest rate per million flights. Airlines registered under the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) had a lower accident rate, with around 0.92 accidents per million flights, compared to 1.70 accidents per million flights for non-IOSA carriers.