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Flying is safer than ever, data shows
5 Dec
Summary
- Accident rates for Boeing and Airbus are nearly identical when adjusted for flight volume.
- Human or environmental factors cause most aviation incidents, not mechanical failures.
- Modern aviation is the safest mode of travel in history, with record-low accidents.
Recent incidents have sparked concerns about aviation safety, but a closer look at data reveals a more reassuring picture. Analyses of flight records indicate that both Boeing and Airbus maintain extraordinarily low accident rates, appearing nearly identical when adjusted for the sheer volume of flights they operate. Raw numbers can be misleading due to factors like reporting differences and the greater presence of Boeing aircraft in U.S. airspace.
The vast majority of aviation incidents are not due to mechanical failures but stem from human error, environmental conditions like turbulence, or minor issues. True aircraft-related problems, tied to design or systems, constitute a small fraction, and manufacturing defects are even rarer. When these factors are isolated, the safety records of both manufacturers are statistically indistinguishable.
Overall, flying has reached its safest point in history. With record-low accident rates globally, the risk of a major incident is exceptionally small. Experts emphasize that driving to the airport presents a statistically greater risk than flying. Both manufacturers continuously learn from incidents, ensuring that flying remains one of the safest modes of transportation available.
