Commercial aviation maintained a strong overall safety record in 2025, although a small number of major accidents pushed fatalities higher, according to the latest annual safety report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
According to IATA, the global accident rate improved slightly to 1.32 accidents per million flights, compared with 1.42 in 2024. In total, 51 accidents occurred among about 38.7 million flights, down slightly from 54 accidents the previous year but still above the five-year average of 44.
Fatal accidents increased slightly in 2025, with eight fatal events and 394 onboard deaths, up from seven accidents and 244 fatalities in 2024. IATA says this was driven by two major accidents, Air India Flight 171 and PSA Airlines Flight 5342, which accounted for more than 77 percent of the year’s fatalities.
Despite the increase, long-term trends show safety continuing to improve. The industry’s five-year rolling average now stands at one fatal accident per 5.6 million flights, an improvement from one per 3.5 million flights a decade ago.
“Flying is so safe that even one accident among the nearly 40 million flights operated annually moves the global data. Every accident is, of course, one too many. The goal for aviation remains zero accidents and zero fatalities,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
Tail strikes, landing gear events, runway excursions, and ground damage, were the most common accident categories in 2025. Notably, IATA’s report found no loss-of-control-in-flight accidents in 2025. Historically one of the leading causes of fatal airline accidents, this category has now been absent twice in the past several years.
Airport infrastructure also played a role in some incidents. IATA said 16 percent of accidents involved airport-related factors, including runway safety areas, lighting or markings, or obstacles near runways that can worsen accident outcomes.
IATA also raised concerns about delays in accident investigations. A review found only 63 percent of accident reports from 2019–2023 were completed in line with international requirements under the Chicago Convention.
Timely investigations are critical for identifying safety lessons and preventing similar accidents in the future, the group said.
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