The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported that the global aviation industry experienced 51 accidents in 2025 across 38.7 million flights worldwide, according to its 2025 Annual Safety Report.
Although slightly lower than the 54 accidents recorded in 2024, the figure remained above the five-year (2021–2025) average of 44 accidents. The global all-accident rate improved marginally to 1.32 accidents per million flights, equivalent to one accident per 759,646 flights, compared to 1.42 in 2024. However, this is still slightly above the five-year average of 1.27.
Globally, there were eight fatal accidents in 2025, resulting in 394 onboard fatalities, up from seven fatal accidents and 244 deaths in 2024. The figures also exceeded the five-year averages of six fatal accidents and 198 fatalities.
The report highlighted Africa’s performance, noting seven accidents on the continent in 2025, with a significant improvement in its overall accident rate. Africa’s all-accident rate dropped from 12.13 per million sectors in 2024 to 7.86 in 2025, better than the region’s five-year average of 9.37. Despite the improvement, Africa still recorded the highest accident rate globally, while its fatality risk increased from zero in 2024 to 2.19 in 2025.
Willie Walsh said the most common accidents in 2025 included tail strikes, landing gear issues, runway excursions, and ground damage, stressing the importance of safety during take-off, landing, and ground operations.
“Airport infrastructure and runway environments play a critical role in accident outcomes. In several events, rigid obstacles near runways increased accident severity, likely turning otherwise survivable occurrences into fatal ones,” Walsh noted. He emphasised the need for compliance with international standards relating to runway safety areas, frangible installations, and mitigation of hazards such as poor markings, inadequate lighting, and runway contaminants.
IATA also highlighted the benefits of the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) programme. Airlines on the IOSA registry recorded an all-accident rate of 0.98 per million flights, compared to 2.55 for non-IOSA operators. Similarly, IATA member airlines had an accident rate of 0.72 per million flights, far below the 3.09 for non-member airlines.
The report noted a rise in fatality risk to 0.17 per million flights, higher than 2024’s 0.06 and the five-year average of 0.12. The increase was largely attributed to a small number of fatal accidents, including Air India flight 171 (241 fatalities) and PSA Airlines flight 5342 (64 fatalities), which together accounted for over 77% of all fatalities in 2025.
“The goal for aviation remains zero accidents and zero fatalities. Flying is the safest form of long-distance travel. Every accident is one too many, and each reminds us to continue improving safety through global standards and data-driven collaboration,” Walsh said.
