IATA: 2016 safety performance a 'step back' in some parameters from 2015

IATA released (10-Mar-2017) its review of 2016 safety performance of the commercial airline industry. Key highlights:

• Accident rate (all aircraft types): 1.61 per one million flights (2015: 1.79);
• Major jet accident rate: 0.39 (2015: 0.32);
• Total Accidents: 65 (2015: 68);
• Fatal accidents: 10, with 268 fatalities (2010-2014 five year average: 13.4 fatal accidents and 371 fatalities p/a);
• • Passenger flights: Four accidents (2015: Two);
  • Cargo flights: Four accidents (2015: Two);
• % of accidents involving fatalities: 15% (2015: 6%);
• Jet hull losses: 13 (2015: 10);
• • Jet hull losses with fatalities: 13 (2015: 0);
• Turboprop hull losses: Eight (2015: Eight);
• • Turboprop hull losses with fatalities: Five (2015: Four);
• IATA member jet hull loss rate: 0.35. [more - original PR]

IATA: "Last year some 3.8 billion travelers flew safely on 40.4 million flights. The number of total accidents, fatal accidents and fatalities all declined versus the five-year average, showing that aviation continues to become safer. We did take a step back on some key parameters from the exceptional performance of 2015; however, flying is still the safest form of long distance travel. And safety remains the top priority of all involved in aviation". Alexandre de Juniac, DG and CEO. Source: IATA, 10-Mar-2017.