*File 20% completion price of accident investigation
The Worldwide Air Transport Affiliation (IATA) has launched its 2024 Annual Security Report, elevating considerations over the rising price of runway excursions within the African area.
Although the trade delivered one other yr of robust general security efficiency, together with enhancements on the five-year common for a number of key parameters, it took a step again from an distinctive efficiency in 2023.
General, there have been seven deadly accidents in 2024 on 40.6 million flights. That’s greater than the one deadly accident recorded in 2023 and the five-year common of 5 deadly accidents.
There have been 244 on-board fatalities in 2024, in comparison with the 72 fatalities reported in 2023 and the five-year common of 144. Fatality danger remained low at 0.06, beneath the five-year common (0.1), though double the 0.03 reported in 2023.
With 10 accidents in 2024, the all-accident price in Africa rose from 8.36 per million sectors in 2023 to 10.59 in 2024, exceeding the five-year common of 8.46.
Africa (AFI), nevertheless, recorded the very best accident price, although the fatality danger remained at zero for the second yr in a row.In keeping with findings, the most typical accident varieties in 2024 had been runway excursions, adopted by these associated to touchdown gear. Forty per cent of all accidents involving AFI-based operators had been on turboprop plane.
IATA’s Director-Normal, Willie Walsh, mentioned that even with current high-profile aviation accidents, it is very important keep in mind that accidents are extraordinarily uncommon.
“There have been 40.6 million flights in 2024 and 7 deadly accidents. Furthermore, the long-term story of aviation security is one among steady enchancment. A decade in the past, the five-year common (2011-2015) was one accident for each 456,000 flights. In the present day, the five-year common (2020-2024) is one accident for each 810,000 flights.
“That enchancment is as a result of we all know that each fatality is one too many. We honour the reminiscence of each life misplaced in an aviation accident with our deepest sympathies and ever-greater resolve to make flying even safer. And for that, the buildup of security information, together with the 2024 security report, is our strongest software,” mentioned Walsh.
In different areas, North America recorded 12 accidents, although the all-accident price improved from 1.53 per million sectors in 2023 to 1.2 in 2024 and was higher than the area’s five-year common of 1.26.
Fatality danger has remained zero since 2020. The commonest accident varieties in 2024 had been tail strikes, runway harm and runway excursions. Whereas no accidents have been linked to clutter from house operations, the growing variety of rocket launches presents challenges for air visitors administration.
Asia-Pacific, with seven accidents in 2024, the all-accident price elevated from 0.92 per million sectors in 2023 to 1.04 in 2024 however remained beneath the five-year regional common of 1.1.
Fatality danger was unchanged from 2023 at 0.15. There was no dominant classification for accidents within the area, together with tail strikes, runway harm and turbulence.
Center East and North Africa, with two accidents in 2024, the all-accident price improved from 1.12 accidents per million sectors in 2023 to 1.08 in 2024 and was additionally higher than its five-year common of 1.09.
Fatality danger has remained zero since 2019. Whereas no accidents had been associated to GNSS interference, it has emerged as a crucial space of concern within the area.
IATA’s evaluation of 2018-2023 accident investigations reveals that solely 57 per cent had been accomplished and revealed as obligated by the Chicago Conference.Completion charges fluctuate considerably throughout areas, with North Asia main at 75 per cent, adopted by North America (70 per cent) and Europe (66 per cent), CIS (65 per cent), Center East and North Africa (60 per cent), Latin America and the Caribbean (57 per cent), Asia-Pacific (53 per cent) and Africa (20 per cent).
“Accident investigation is a crucial software for bettering international aviation security. To be efficient, the studies of accident investigations should be full, accessible, and well timed. Annex 13 of the Chicago Conference clearly states this can be a state’s obligation. Burying accident studies for political issues is totally unacceptable. And if capability is the blocker, we’d like a coordinated international effort to offer technical assist to international locations with restricted accident investigation experience,” Walsh mentioned.
