Summary
- 2023 saw no fatal jet losses, marking it because the safest yr for aviation on record.
- The yr saw a 17% increase in traffic overall, marking a solid recovery for the industry.
- Despite a single hull loss for a turboprop aircraft, aviation stays the safest technique of transportation because of a powerful safety culture.
On February 28, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which takes care of the logistics of economic aviation, reminiscent of airport codes and ticketing, released its 2023 annual safety report. There have been 37 million movements last yr, including jet-powered aircraft and turboprops. This represents a 17% increase when put next to 2022, indicating a powerful recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic economic downturn.
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Willie Walsh, the Director General, had this to say concerning the report
2023 safety performance continues to exhibit that flying is the safest mode of transport. Aviation places its highest priority on safety, and that shows in its 2023 performance. Jet operations saw no hull losses or fatalities. 2023 also saw the bottom fatality risk and ‘all accident’ rate on record,
“A single fatal turboprop accident with 72 fatalities, nonetheless, reminds us that we will never take safety with no consideration. And two high profile accidents in the primary month of 2024 show that, even when flying is among the many safest activities an individual can do, there may be all the time room to enhance.”
A more in-depth take a look at accidents in 2023
In 2023, only 30 incidents involving turboprops and jet aircraft were recorded. Based on IATA, this represents one accident in 1.26 million flights. That is lower than the 2022 figure, with 42 accidents overall, representing one accident in every 0.77 million flights. These numbers could seem daunting. Nevertheless, they prove that accidents onboard aircraft, no matter propulsion and whatever the region, remain extremely rare, thus proving that flying stays the safest technique of transportation available.
Unfortunately, there was one recorded fatal accident involving an ATR 72 in Nepal when Yeti Airlines flight 691 crashed on the ultimate approach to Pokhara airport on January 15, 2023. All passengers and crew perished. Essentially the most probable reason behind the accident was human error, as certainly one of the pilots by chance chosen the feathered position in flight.