ICAO Global Aviation Safety Report 2024: Trends, Top Risks & What Operators Should Do Now
Aviation safety insights aligned with IOSA, ISAGO, EASA TCO, UK CAA TCO, Part-145 compliance and SMS implementation
The latest safety performance overview published by the
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
highlights global civil aviation safety trends (2019–2024) and a detailed 2024 accident snapshot.
With traffic recovery accelerating, airlines, airports, MROs and ground handling organizations should reinforce
aviation safety management systems (SMS), aviation compliance monitoring, and
audit preparation to manage increasing operational exposure.
Aviation Safety Performance
IOSA Audit Preparation
ISAGO / IGOM
EASA TCO Consultancy
UK CAA TCO Support
EASA Part-145
FAA 14 CFR Part 145
2024 shows higher accident count and a higher accident rate vs 2023. The key message for operators is clear:
growth must be matched by stronger safety assurance, evidence traceability, and audit-ready implementation.
ICAO’s 2024 snapshot includes 10 fatal accidents, 296 fatalities, and 134 serious injuries.
This strengthens the case for structured programs such as IOSA and ISAGO, plus regulator-ready compliance for
EASA TCO, UK CAA TCO, and Part-145 approvals.
Passenger demand increased by +8.6% and departures by +5.2%. As exposure increases,
strengthen SMS assurance, internal audit, and compliance monitoring.
Accident rate increased from 1.87 to 2.56 per million departures (+36.8%).
Strong corrective action planning (CAP), management review discipline, and audit readiness reduce both risk and findings.
High-frequency events (turbulence, abnormal runway contact, ramp/ground handling) drive accident counts, while high-severity outcomes are dominated by
LOC-I and bird strikes. Turbulence also drives most serious injuries.
Emerging Aviation Safety Risk Areas
- GNSS interference (jamming/spoofing): contingency procedures, reporting and coordination.
- Turbulence: forecasting use, cabin SOP discipline and injury prevention.
- Runway safety: runway incursion/excursion prevention and aerodrome safety controls.
- Wildlife strikes: risk controls near aerodromes and improved reporting.
- RPAS / Advanced Air Mobility: integration with ATM/DAA and evolving approval frameworks.
- GADSS: operational control and position reporting expectations.
- SMS evolution: stronger evidence traceability and safety assurance.
What Operators Should Do Now
- Strengthen high-severity controls: LOC-I prevention and training effectiveness assurance.
- Reduce runway and ramp events: process control, competency oversight and internal audits.
- Improve turbulence defenses: cabin procedures, passenger injury prevention and reporting quality.
- Build GNSS resilience: procedures, training and route/operational planning.
- Upgrade evidence traceability: hazards → controls → assurance → performance → management action.
Aviation Safety Consulting and Compliance Support