Why Are So Many Planes Crashing? The Data Explained
Recent high-profile plane crashes have sparked concerns about aviation safety. A Delta Airlines plane flipped upside down after a heavy landing at Toronto Airport, but all passengers survived. This came after several accidents, including an American Airlines crash in Washington, and the crash of a small plane in Alaska, which killed 10.
Despite the alarming headlines, air travel is still incredibly safe. 2024 was the deadliest year for aviation since 2018, with 16 fatal accidents causing 333 deaths, but this was skewed by two major incidents at the end of the year. Compared to 2023, which had only six fatal accidents, the numbers highlight how rare such disasters are.
Experts stress that, despite occasional high-profile incidents, air travel has never been safer. John Grant from OAG points out that over 37 million flights took place in 2024 with only a handful of major incidents. Veteran pilot Brian Smith notes that advancements in technology, improved aircraft systems, and better pilot training have drastically reduced the number of accidents over the past 70 years.
Aviation expert John Strickland reiterates that accidents are rare, especially when considering the millions of flights that occur safely each year. In fact, a person would need to fly every day for over 100,000 years to encounter a fatal accident.
While recent crashes grab attention, the reality is that flying remains one of the safest modes of transportation.
