In the wake of several high-profile aviation incidents, fears about the safety of air travel have been ignited, with social media buzzing with videos of close calls and crashes. Following a tragic mid-air collision in January that claimed 67 lives, US Transport Secretary Sean Duffy spoke to CBS News, reassuring the public that the recent string of events is "very unique."
Footage of a plane flipping in hazardous weather conditions in Toronto has further stoked public anxiety. Despite this, BBC Verify’s analysis shows that air accidents, both in the US and globally, have been on a downward trend over the last two decades. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) data indicates that air accidents in the US have decreased since 2005, even as flight numbers have surged. The January 2025 accident total stood at 52, down from 58 in January 2024 and 70 in January 2023.
Globally, figures from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) also demonstrate that accidents per million flights have declined since 2005. This broad definition includes not only serious accidents but also incidents requiring repairs or those involving missing aircraft.
Although there are fluctuations in the data, Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter from the University of Cambridge emphasizes that these are often tied to a few significant events, rendering the fatality numbers highly volatile. This sentiment is echoed by Ismo Aaltonen, former head of Finland’s air disaster investigations, who suggests that the recent accidents do not point to a decline in aviation safety, but rather to a streak of unfortunate occurrences.
The viral nature of social media has amplified awareness of aviation disasters, drawing attention to events like the Boeing 737 Max incidents, which have led to safety concerns and customer boycotts. Marco Chan, a former pilot, attributes the current scrutiny of air travel to increased exposure via social media platforms.
Notably, aviation authorities thoroughly investigate incidents, integrating findings into pilot training programs and adapting safety regulations. With robust safety measures in place, air travel remains considerably safer compared to other forms of transportation, with the US Department of Transportation revealing that over 95% of transport-related fatalities occurred on the road in 2022.
Statistics from the National Safety Council reveal that fatalities for air travel are as low as 0.001 per 100,000 miles traveled, starkly contrasting with 0.54 in passenger vehicles. According to experts, the most dangerous part of a traveler's journey is typically the drive to the airport, illustrating the relative safety of flying.
In summary, while media coverage of airborne accidents may foster anxiety, the facts demonstrate that flying remains an exceedingly safe mode of transport.
