2011 a good year for aviation safety

Monday, 30 January 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Last year was one of the safest years in aviation history. Globally, for 2011 as a whole, there were eight major accidents involving large western-built commercial airline jets, five of which resulted in a total of 197 fatalities.

The result reflects an average jet aircraft loss rate of one major accident for every three million flights, which is half of the average loss rate for the last five years, a significant reduction that reflects a trend of continuous improvement in aviation safety.

With only one major accident, involving a freighter aircraft, Asia Pacific airlines maintained their excellent safety record, which is fully comparable to that of the leading European and North American airlines.

A review of all major accidents that have occurred worldwide in 2011, has again identified runway related incidents as important risk factors, with nearly one third of accidents due to runway over-runs.

The statistics above do not include turboprop aircraft, which often operate in more challenging environments, and experience higher accident rates, often due to navigation errors. Many of these accidents are believed to be preventable, but it will require firmer actions by regulators to ensure that all carriers operate to the highest international standards, including wider deployment of automated terrain awareness warning systems for all commercial operations.

“Credit must go to all aviation industry stakeholders for their ongoing commitment and hard work in achieving this outstanding safety performance in 2011. Passengers can rest assured that air travel remains both extremely safe and highly secure,” said Andrew Herdman, Director General of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).

“Improved safety performance has not occurred by chance, it is the result of continuing regulatory and industry stakeholder efforts, based on common goals, to identify and address a wide range of safety risk factors.”

Herdman emphasised the importance of addressing runway excursions and incursions, noting that, “AAPA fully supports ICAO initiatives to further improve runway safety, and is working with other regional aviation safety stakeholders to respond to this challenge through the sharing of data and best safety management practices... AAPA will continue in our efforts to work with the region’s regulators and airlines to address regional safety challenges, with the shared aim of delivering further positive improvements in safety performance.”