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

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