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Africa Records Highest Aviation Accident Rate in 2025 — IATA Report
Africa recorded the highest aviation accident rate in the world in 2025, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual Safety Report, highlighting ongoing challenges in runway safety, turboprop operations, and timely accident investigations.
The report indicated that seven accidents occurred across the continent in 2025, down from 11 in 2024, resulting in an overall accident rate of 7.86 per million flights, slightly below the five-year regional average of 9.37. However, the continent’s fatality risk rose sharply, from zero in 2024 to 2.19 per million flights, primarily driven by turboprop incidents.
IATA noted that 71% of accidents involving African operators involved turboprops, with the most common types being runway excursions and other end-state events, though precise classifications were sometimes difficult due to limited data.
By comparison, other regions reported lower accident rates and fatality risks:
- Asia-Pacific: Six accidents, stable fatality risk at 0.15 per million flights.
- Europe: 11 accidents, zero fatality risk.
- Latin America and the Caribbean: Five accidents, fatality risk decreased from 0.37 to 0.26.
- North America: 16 accidents, fatality risk rose to 0.21.
- Middle East and North Africa: One accident, zero fatalities.
- North Asia: One non-fatal accident, zero fatality risk.
- Commonwealth of Independent States: Four accidents—all turboprop-related—with fatality risk rising from zero to 0.69.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh pointed to airport infrastructure as a major factor influencing accident outcomes.
“Rigid obstacles near runways increased accident severity, likely turning otherwise survivable events into fatal incidents. Airports and regulators must continuously review runway safety areas and surrounding structures to meet global safety standards,” he said.
The report also revealed that Africa lags significantly in accident investigations, with only 19% of accident reports completed in line with international standards, compared with 81% in the Commonwealth of Independent States and 78% in North America. Walsh emphasized that timely and complete investigations are crucial for improving safety.
Globally, 2025 saw 51 accidents among 38.7 million flights, slightly fewer than the 54 accidents in 2024. Fatal accidents rose to eight, resulting in 394 onboard fatalities, compared with 244 the previous year.
“Flying remains the safest form of long-distance travel, yet every accident is one too many. The aviation goal remains zero accidents and zero fatalities,” Walsh added.
The IATA report also highlighted emerging risks from conflict zones and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) interference, which can mislead aircraft navigation, stressing the importance of civil-military coordination to protect commercial aviation.
“Civil aircraft must never be exposed to military risks, deliberately or accidentally. Governments must share timely risk information and ensure effective civil-military coordination to allow airlines to conduct their own risk assessments,” Walsh said.
