Commercial air travel experienced its safest year in the past decade in 2023

In 2023, data indicates that there were six fatal crashes involving airliners, marking it as the safest year in commercial aviation within the past decade. The number of crashes and passenger fatalities was nearly halved compared to the previous year, with 115 passenger deaths in 2023 as opposed to 229 in 2022, according to Flight Global data.

The most significant incident of the year was the Yeti Airlines crash, resulting in the deaths of 68 passengers during an attempted landing at Pokhara Airport. The aircraft stalled during approach, claiming the lives of all 68 individuals on board, including the four crew members.

The second most serious fatal crash involved a Manuas Aerotaxi Embraer 110, which crashed while attempting to land at Barcelos Airport, resulting in the deaths of 14 passengers and 2 crew members.

Remarkably, there were no fatal accidents involving jet airliners or international flights in 2023. These statistics underscore the ongoing advancements in air safety, spanning from the design and systems onboard airliners to their maintenance and the air traffic management systems employed globally.

The United States, Europe (including the UK), and Oceania remain the safest regions for aviation, with many top-ranked airlines originating from these areas. Conversely, countries such as Nepal, India, Pakistan, and Russia continue to experience higher risks in aviation safety.