Aviation Safety in 2024: Slightly Riskier, But Still the Safest Way to Travel

Flying has long been considered one of the safest modes of transportation, but 2024 saw a small uptick in aviation incidents. According to industry reports, while accidents remain incredibly rare, last year had a higher number of aviation fatalities compared to previous years. Despite this, the overall accident rate remains low, meaning passengers and airline employees can still count on air travel as one of the safest ways to get around.

What’s Behind the Rise in Incidents?

Several high-profile aviation incidents marked 2024, including:

• Jeju Air Flight 2216: A tragic crash in South Korea resulted in 179 fatalities, making it one of the deadliest airline accidents in recent years.

• Alaska Airlines Flight 1282: A Boeing 737 MAX 9 suffered a door plug blowout mid-flight, sparking safety concerns but thankfully no serious injuries.

• Voepass Crash in Brazil: A Voepass ATR 72-600 crashed in São Paulo, leading to 62 fatalities.

While these incidents made headlines, the overall safety record of the airline industry remains strong. Many experts point to ongoing aircraft maintenance challenges, manufacturer issues, and pilot training gaps as potential factors contributing to the rise in accidents.

Passenger Reactions and Concerns

Understandably, some travelers are more cautious after hearing about high-profile aviation accidents. Concerns over Boeing’s manufacturing processes, ongoing safety investigations, and pilot workload have become hot topics among frequent flyers and airline employees alike. However, aviation experts stress that the statistical risk of a plane crash remains exceedingly low. In fact, the death risk per passenger in countries with strict aviation oversight is roughly 1 in 100 million.

What This Means for Airline Staff and Passriders

For airline employees and passriders, the rise in incidents doesn’t necessarily change much in day-to-day operations, but it does reinforce the importance of staying informed:

• Operational Awareness: Pilots, flight attendants, and ground staff may see additional safety briefings or aircraft inspections, particularly with Boeing aircraft under scrutiny.

• Possible Regulatory Changes: The FAA and other governing bodies may implement new safety measures, which could impact flight schedules and maintenance protocols.

• Aircraft-Specific Considerations for Nonrevs: If you’re planning to fly standby, keep an eye on aircraft type and potential safety-related delays. After the Alaska Airlines MAX 9 incident, airlines briefly grounded certain planes for inspections, affecting standby flight options.

Overall, while 2024 saw more aviation incidents, flying remains an incredibly safe option. For passriders, the biggest impact is likely to be operational delays rather than actual safety risks.

The Bigger Picture: Is Flying Still Safe?

Yes—flying is still statistically safer than driving, biking, or even walking in many cities. The aviation industry is incredibly proactive when it comes to safety, and even a small uptick in incidents sparks massive regulatory and operational responses.

What are your thoughts on aviation safety? Do recent incidents make you think twice about flying?