There were two more fatal airline accidents in the first half of 2005 than during the same period last year, but the steady trend over the past decade towards better safety shows no sign of reversing, according to Flight International’s latest six-monthly assessment of airline safety performance.
Although the period under study is short, the worst interpretation might be that the improvement rate is slowing. Meanwhile, North America, Europe and Australasia remain clear of fatal accidents involving big jets so far this year. The last accident involving a big jet in those three regions was in November 2001, but Asia Pacific and Latin America have also stayed clear of accidents in the same category this year. The big-jet fatal accidents that have occurred in the first six months of 2005 have been in countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, involving first- or second-generation jets and several cargo operators. Australasia has seen two fatal accidents to turboprop operators.
A full analysis and accident listing will be provided in Flight International, 19-25 July.
Source: Flight International