2016 one of the safest years in Aviation history

2016 one of the safest years in Aviation history

Despite plane crashes seemingly making headlines more often of late, 2016 is actually set to be one of the safest years in aviation history.

The statistics derived by Aviation Safety Network have been widely published a day after the crash of LaMia Airlines near the Colombian city of Medellín killing all 71 on board, most were members of a local football team.

According to Aviation Safety Network which holds a database of all air travel incidents, 2016 had 16 fatal accidents, resulting in 272 deaths, 560 less than what was recorded in 2015, the Telegraph reports.

At the close of 2016, some 3.5 billion passengers would have taken to the skies, resulting in a very low percentage rate of accidents per number of travellers and 2016 with 30 days left in the calendar, may rank to be the safest year for air travel on record, closely followed by 2015.

However last year was marred by hijackings and sabotage causing fatal accidents for Germanwings, deliberately caused by its pilot, and a Metrojet flight which had suspected bomb resulting in the crash.

In general however, it appears that air travel has never been safer.

Safest years in aviation history | Total deaths

  1. 2013 – 29 fatal crashes; 265 deaths
  2. 2016* – 16 fatal crashes; 272 deaths
  3. 2012 – 24 fatal crashes; 476 deaths
  4. 2011 – 36 fatal crashes; 524 deaths
  5. 2004 – 36 fatal crashes; 543 deaths
  6. 2015 – 16 fatal crashes; 560 deaths
  7. 2008 – 33 fatal crashes; 588 deaths
  8. 1984 – 39 fatal crashes; 676 deaths
  9. 2003 – 33 fatal crashes; 703 deaths
  10. 1999 – 48 fatal crashes; 706 deaths
*January 1-November 30

Safest years in aviation history | Deaths per total number of passengers flown

  1. 2016* – one per 12,867,647
  2. 2013 – one per 11,501,886
  3. 2015 – one per 6,144,642
  4. 2012 – one per 6,079,831
  5. 2011 – one per 5,318,702
  6. 2008 – one per 3,755,102
  7. 2004 – one per 3,478,821
  8. 2014 – one per 3,253,791
  9. 2009 – one per 2,960,526
  10. 2007 – one per 2,803,299

*January 1-November 30

 All statistics from Aviation Safety Network

Latest News

  • Products

Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun

If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]