Africa recorded the highest aviation accident rate in 2024 | By Dominick Andoh | Africa recorded 10 aviation accidents in 2024, raising the all-accident rate from 8.36 per million sectors in 2023 to 10.59 in 2024, exceeding the five-year average of 8.46.
Despite recording the highest accident rate, IATA’s 2024 Annual Safety Report, notes that the fatality risk remained at zero for the second year in a row. The most common accident types in 2024 were runway excursions, followed by those related to landing gear. Forty percent of all accidents involving AFI-based operators were on turboprop aircraft.
Commenting on the report, Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, said: “Even with recent high-profile aviation accidents, it is important to remember that accidents are extremely rare. There were 40.6 million flights in 2024 and seven fatal accidents. Moreover, 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. And for that, the accumulation of safety data, including the 2024 safety report, is our most powerful tool.”
Through the IATA Focus Africa initiative, the Collaborative Aviation Safety Improvement Program (CASIP) continues to mobilize resources to address key safety challenges | AviationGhana.com
