The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has said that aviation safety remained positive for 2025 despite a worrying rise in both conflicts and attempts to illegally access navigation systems.

The organisation released its 2025 Annual Safety Report which is said demonstrated a “solid year of safety performance”.

The all-accident rate of 1.32 per million flights (one accident per 759,646 flights) was better than the 1.42 recorded in 2024 but slightly above the 2021-2025 five-year average of 1.27.

In all there were 51 accidents in 2025 among 38.7 million flights. That is fewer than the 54 accidents among 37.9 million flights in 2024, but above the 2021-2025 five-year average of 44 accidents.

There were eight fatal accidents in 2025. That is more than the seven fatal accidents recorded in 2024 and the five-year average of six fatal accidents. There were 394 onboard fatalities in 2025, more than the 244 fatalities reported in 2024 and the five-year average of 198.

However, IATA secretary general Willie Walsh (above pic) warned the sector was still beset with geopolitical threats.

The study added the proliferation of conflict zones is driving significant rerouting and operational complexity. In some regions, military activity has occurred in or near flight corridors. The latest reminder of this is the significant disruptions that have occurred with the outbreak of war between the US/Israel and Iran. Close coordination between military and civil authorities is essential to ensure the safe operations of civil aircraft.

“When conflict zones present risks that cannot be mitigated, states are responsible for restricting or closing airspace in a timely, transparent, and coordinated manner,” the study added. “It is essential that the process of closing and eventually to re-opening airspace remains focused on safety and security parameters and is not politicised. Moreover, clear, consistent, and professionally communicated Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and risk advisories are critical information for airlines to consider when conducting their own risk assessments in support of safe and efficient flight operations.”

“Civil aircraft must never be placed at risk from military activity – deliberately or accidentally. When tensions rise, governments must share timely risk information, ensure effective civil–military coordination, restrict airspace where needed, and provide airlines with sufficient information for their own risk assessments. Whether closing or re-opening airspace, safety depends on transparency, facts, and coordination,” said Walsh.

Incidents of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference capable of misleading aircraft navigation systems have risen sharply in recent years. IATA’s Incident Data eXchange indicates that reported jamming events in 2025 increased by 67% compared to 2023 while reported GPS spoofing incidents rose by 193%.

“GNSS interference events are deeply concerning. Airlines rely on GNSS for safe and efficient flight operations,” added Walsh. “While system redundancies support safe operations in the face of these deliberate acts, immediate steps by governments and air navigation service providers are needed to improve situational awareness and enhance mitigation tools for pilots. Ultimately, the practice of GNSS interference must be stopped. Anything less is both unacceptable and irresponsible.”

He added: “Flying is the safest form of long-distance travel. Accidents are extremely rare and each one reminds us to be even more focused on continuous improvement through global standards and collaboration guided by safety data.

“The result of that effort is clear in how the five-year rolling average rate for fatal accidents has improved. A decade ago, the rate stood at one fatal accident for every 3.5 million flights (2012-2016). Today, it is one fatal accident for every 5.6 million flights (2021-2025). Flying is so safe that even one accident among the nearly 40 million flights operated annually moves the global data. Every accident is, of course, one too many. The goal for aviation remains zero accidents and zero fatalities.”

The most common accidents in 2025 were tail strikes, landing gear events, runway excursions, and ground damage. This underscores the importance of take-off, landing, and ground handling safety measures. Notably there were no loss of control inflight (LOC-I) accidents in 2025. It is the second time this has been achieved (previously in 2020) and is significant as LOC-I are a leading cause of fatalities.

Airport facilities contributed to 16% of accidents in 2025. This reinforces the need to fully respect global standards for runway safety areas, frangible installations within safety zones, and the effective mitigation of hazards such as runway surface contaminants, inadequate markings or lighting, and obstacles within protected areas or near runways.

“Airport infrastructure and runway environments play a critical role in accident outcomes. In several events, rigid obstacles near runways increased accident severity, likely turning otherwise survivable occurrences into fatal ones. All airports and regulators should continuously review runway safety areas and the structures near runways for compliance with global safety standards,” concluded Walsh.

Incidents of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference capable of misleading aircraft navigation systems have risen sharply in recent years. IATA’s Incident Data eXchange indicates that reported jamming events in 2025 increased by 67% compared to 2023 while reported GPS spoofing incidents rose by 193%.