Global commercial aviation maintained a strong safety record in 2025, despite a rise in fatalities from a handful of high-profile accidents. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released its Annual Safety Report on 9 March, highlighting both improvements and areas requiring renewed focus.
Airlines operated 38.7 million flights worldwide in 2025, recording 51 accidents, down from 54 in 2024. This equates to an all-accident rate of 1.32 per million flights, an improvement from 1.42 in 2024, though slightly above the five-year average of 1.27. While the overall accident rate improved, the total number of accidents remained higher than the five-year average of 44.
Fatal accidents rose to eight in 2025, compared with seven in 2024 and a five-year average of six. Onboard fatalities also increased significantly, reaching 394 deaths, compared with 244 in 2024 and the five-year average of 198.
Despite the increase in fatalities, long-term safety trends remain positive. The five-year rolling average for fatal accidents has improved markedly: a decade ago, there was one fatal accident for every 3.5 million flights (2012–2016). Today, the rate stands at one fatal accident per 5.6 million flights (2021–2025).
Willie Walsh, IATA director general, emphasised that aviation remains the safest form of long-distance travel, noting that even a single accident among nearly 40 million flights can significantly affect global statistics. “The goal for aviation remains zero accidents and zero fatalities,” Walsh stated.
The most frequent accidents in 2025 involved: tail strikes, landing gear events, runway excursions, and ground damage.
Importantly, there were no loss of control inflight (LOC-I) accidents in 2025. This was only the second time in history (the first being 2020) that LOC-I accidents were completely avoided, a significant achievement given their historical role as a leading cause of fatalities.
Airport facilities contributed to 16 percent of accidents in 2025. Issues such as runway surface contaminants, inadequate markings or lighting, and rigid obstacles near runways were highlighted as factors that worsened accident outcomes. Walsh stressed the importance of compliance with global safety standards for runway safety areas and frangible installations, urging airports and regulators to continuously review infrastructure to mitigate risks.
The report also pointed out the performance by regions. Africa (AFI) recorded seven accidents in 2025, with an all-accident rate of 7.86 per million sectors, down from 12.13 in 2024 and below the five-year average of 9.37. Despite this improvement, Africa had the highest accident rate of any region.
Fatality risk in Africa increased from zero in 2024 to 2.19 in 2025. The most common accident types were runway excursions and “other end state” events, where categorisation was unclear due to insufficient information. Since 2018, Africa has accounted for the majority of “other end state” cases, underscoring the need for stronger compliance with investigation obligations under Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention.
Of accidents involving AFI-based operators, 71 percent involved turboprop aircraft, highlighting the need for targeted safety measures in this segment.
The data from Africa is a wake up call. Airports in Africa should prioritize safety and security measures in light of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. To reduce accident risks, African aviation authorities should: strengthen accident investigation and reporting, implement safety measures for turboprop aircraft, enhance pilot training for runway excursions, and, improve compliance with international standards.
As the world navigates through the challenges in the Middle East, the aviation sector in the continent should stay informed about the evolving situation in the Middle East and its potential impact on air travel. It should also implement robust security measures, including counter-drone technology and increased surveillance. It is important to consider alternative routes to avoid conflict zones and minimize disruptions. Airports should work closely with airlines to adjust flight schedules and minimize passenger disruptions. The passenger experience is positively enhanced when airports offer assistance to stranded or affected passengers, including rebooking options and accommodations. Industry stakeholders should regularly check for updates on airspace closures and restrictions.
Collaborative efforts between governments, airlines, and regulatory bodies are crucial to improving aviation safety in Africa. By prioritizing safety, we can reduce risks and ensure a secure air travel environment.
The 2025 IATA Safety Report reflects both progress and challenges. Accident rates improved overall, but fatalities rose due to a small number of severe incidents. The elimination of LOC-I accidents is a milestone achievement, while airport infrastructure and regional disparities — particularly in Africa — remain critical areas for improvement.
As Walsh noted, aviation’s long-term trajectory is toward ever-greater safety, but the industry’s ultimate goal remains unchanged: zero accidents and zero fatalities.
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Ekelem Airhihen, an accredited mediator, has an MBA from the Lagos Business School. He is a member, ACI Airport Non-aeronautical Revenue Activities Committee; his interests are in market research, customer experience and performance measurement, negotiation, strategy and data and business analytics. He can be reached on ekyair@yahoo.com and +2348023125396 (WhatsApp only).
