The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released its 2024 Safety Report, highlighting a year of strong overall performance in aviation safety despite some setbacks compared to the exceptional results of 2023.
The all-accident rate for 2024 was recorded at 1.13 per million flights, an improvement over the five-year average of 1.25 but slightly worse than the 1.09 recorded in 2023. There were seven fatal accidents in 2024 out of **40.6** million flights, up from one fatal accident in **2023 and** above the five-year average of five fatal accidents. On-board fatalities totaled **244** in **2024**, compared to **72** in **2023** and a five-year average of **144**.
“Even with recent high-profile aviation accidents, it is important to remember that accidents are extremely rare,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. “There were **40.6** million flights in **2024 and** seven fatal accidents… We honor the memory of every life lost in an aviation accident with our deepest sympathies and ever-greater resolve to make flying even safer. ”
Key safety insights from the report include rising risks associated with conflict zones following two downed aircraft incidents resulting in fatalities in Kazakhstan and Sudan. Tail strikes and runway excursions were identified as the most common types of accidents.
Airlines on the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) registry had an accident rate of **0.92** per million flights, significantly lower than non-IOSA carriers’ rate of **1.70**.
Walsh emphasized concerns related to conflict zone operations: “No civil aircraft should ever be a target—deliberate or accidental—of military operations… Governments must step up, enhance intelligence-sharing, and establish clearer global protocols to prevent such tragedies. ”
Regional safety performance varied:
– North America saw its all-accident rate improve to **1.20** per million sectors.
– Asia-Pacific reported an increased all-accident rate at **1.04**.
– Africa’s all-accident rate rose sharply to **10.59** per million sectors.
– Middle East and North Africa improved slightly with an all-accident rate at **1.08**.
– Commonwealth of Independent States recorded no accidents.
– Europe”s all-accident rate increased slightly to **1.02**.
– North Asia reported one accident resulting in an all-accident rate of **0.13**.
– Latin America and the Caribbean saw their all-accident rate rise significantly to **1 .77 per million sectors .
The report also highlighted issues such as delayed or incomplete accident reports which deny critical stakeholders vital insights for improving aviation safety . Only **57 %**of investigations from **2018 -2023 were completed as required by international obligations .
“Accident investigation is a vital tool for improving global aviation safety,” said Walsh . “To be effective ,the reports must be complete ,accessible ,and timely . Burying accident reports for political considerations is completely unacceptable . “
Additionally ,there has been a sharp rise in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS )interference posing growing risks to aviation safety ,with incidents most prevalent in Türkiye ,Iraq ,and Egypt . Reports indicate a **175 % increase ”in GNSS interference between ”2023 -2024 along with a ”500 % spike ”in GPS spoofing incidents .
“The sharp rise”in GNSS interference events is deeply concerning,” said 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 ”ensure that airlines have”the necessary tools”to operate safely”in all areas “
