Africa was the region with the highest accident rate in the world, according to IATA’s 2024 Annual Safety Report. However, fatalities remained at zero for the second consecutive year.
Africa recorded 10 accidents, resulting in an all-accident rate of 10,59 per million sectors – an increase from 8,36 in 2023 and above the five-year average of 8,46.
The most common accident types in Africa were runway excursions (when aircraft improperly exit the runway), followed by landing gear-related incidents. Notably, 40% of accidents involving Africa-based operators occurred with turboprop aircraft.
Global safety insights
The global all-accident rate in 2024 was 1,3 per million flights (one accident per 880 000 flights), an improvement over the five-year average of 1,25 but slightly higher than 1,09 in 2023.
There were seven fatal accidents in 2024 from a total of 40,6 million flights. That is higher than the single fatal accident recorded in 2023 and the five-year average of five fatal accidents.
There were 244 onboard fatalities in 2024, compared with the 72 fatalities reported in 2023 and the five-year average of 144. Fatality risk remained low at 0,06, below the five-year average (0,10), although double the 0,03 reported in 2023.
Tail strikes and runway excursions were the most frequently reported accidents globally.
Willie Walsh, IATA Director General, said even with recent high-profile aviation accidents, it was important to remember that accidents were extremely rare.
“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,” said Walsh.
