Dhaka: For the first time in 15 years, there were no runway or taxiway excursion accidents in commercial aviation in 2021, said the International Air Transport Association (IATA) 2021 safety performance data.

Overall the commercial airline industry showed a big improvement in several safety areas compared to 2020 and the last five years (2017-2021).

In 2021, there was one accident per every 0.99 million flights, an overall improvement compared to the levels shown in the previous five years.

According to IATA, in 2020, the rate was one accident every 0.63 million flights, and between 2017 and 2021, the average was one accident every 0.81 million flights.

There were a total of 26 accidents worldwide in 2021, including seven fatal accidents; one jet and six turboprop aircraft were involved. A total of 121 people died last year due to commercial aviation accidents. Nonetheless, among the IATA member airlines, there were zero deaths.

Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA, said, “Safety is always our highest priority. The severe reduction in flight numbers last year compared to the 5-year average magnified the impact of each accident when we calculate rates. Yet, in the face of numerous operational challenges in 2021, the industry improved in several key safety metrics. At the same time, it is clear that we have much work ahead of us to bring all regions and types of operations up to global levels of safety performance.”

In the last five years, 2017 was the safest one in terms of accidents and fatalities. IATA recorded only six fatal accidents and 19 deaths in 42.5 million flights worldwide.

One of the highlights in 2021 was zero runway and taxiway excursion accidents in commercial aviation.

In the five previous years (between 2016 and 2020), runway and taxiway excursion accidents had the highest frequency of accidents worldwide. Between those years, IATA registered 79 excursions, nearly 30 per cent of all the accidents in that span.