Foundation Annual Safety Report Warns of Rising Risks from Gaps in Safety Compliance

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia — Flight Safety Foundation’s 2024 Safety Report underscores growing concerns about the erosion of aviation safety due to lapses in compliance with international standards, regulations, and standard operating procedures (SOPs). Despite more than 4 billion passengers traveling safely by air in 2024, a series of accidents and serious incidents late last year and in early 2025 have revealed critical vulnerabilities. The report stresses that while these events remain rare, their frequency and severity in such a short period cannot be ignored.

“We cannot allow complacency to creep into operations. Safety standards have evolved for a reason, and adherence to them isn’t optional — it’s essential,” said Foundation President and CEO Dr. Hassan Shahidi. “Compliance alone does not guarantee safety, but without it, safety cannot be achieved.”

In the report, the Foundation calls for an industrywide recommitment to safety fundamentals, urging regulators, air navigation service providers, airports, air operators, and manufacturers to reinforce compliance as the first step toward rebuilding a resilient safety culture. From runway excursions and turbulence-related events to high-profile near misses and operations in conflict zones, the aviation sector must remain vigilant.

 “Aviation’s safety net is fraying at the edges. It’s time for the entire industry to double down on compliance, discipline, and proactive risk management to restore public confidence and protect lives,” Shahidi said.

The 2024 Safety Report, which is based on an analysis of data drawn from the Foundation’s Aviation Safety Network (ASN) database, shows there were 132 accidents involving airliners of all types in 2024 and that 15 of those events were fatal accidents. The report details airliner and corporate jet accidents based on accident category, phase of flight, and type of operation, among other factors.

The 2024 Safety Report is available here on the Foundation’s website. In addition, users can access interactive ASN dashboards by clicking here. The dashboards enable deeper exploration of the ASN data.

On March 12, the Foundation will host a webinar during which safety experts will discuss 2024’s results and the safety issues facing the industry in 2025 and beyond. More information is available on the events page on the Foundation website.

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About Flight Safety Foundation (flightsafety.org)
Flight Safety Foundation is an independent, nonprofit, international organization engaged in research, education, and communications to improve aviation safety. The Foundation’s mission is to connect, influence, and lead global aviation safety.

Media Contact:
Frank Jackman
Director, Communications and Research
+1 703.739.6700, ext. 116
jackman@flightsafety.org