Highest number of aviation accidents in 2024 raises concerns

Recent deadly crashes in Kazakhstan, South Korea, and the United States, along with the non-fatal flip of a crash-landed jet in Canada, have brought aviation safety into the spotlight.

At the same time, ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano has recently unveiled that only 5% of member states had fully implemented comprehensive victim support systems.

The aftermath of an aviation accident extends far beyond the crash site. Families need not just immediate crisis response, but sustained support, clear communication, and access to information throughout investigation processes. 

"While we have developed comprehensive frameworks for victim assistance, established robust standards, policies, and detailed guidance for states, our recent audits reveal that only 5% of Member States have fully implemented comprehensive victim support systems. This gap between standards and implementation must be addressed with urgency,"- Sciacchitano said.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released its 2024 Annual Safety Report, saying that "even with recent high profile aviation accidents, it is important to remember that accidents are extremely rare." 

There were seven fatal accidents in 2024, among 40.6 million flights. That is higher than the single fatal accident recorded in 2023 and the five-year average of five fatal accidents.

There were 244 on-board fatalities in 2024, compared to the 72 fatalities reported in 2023 and the five-year average of 144. 

"The long-term story of aviation safety is one of continuous improvement. A decade ago, the five-year average (2011-2015) was one accident for every 456,000 flights. Today, the five-year average (2020-2024) is one accident for every 810,000 flights. That improvement is because we know that every fatality is one too many.  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,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

IATA Safety Report underlined the growing incidents of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference, that is "a top concern for aviation safety" requiring urgent global coordination.

The December 2024 downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft is excluded from accident classification in this safety report as it is considered as a conflict-related accident.

“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 and safeguard civilian aviation,” said Walsh.