Africa recorded the highest aviation accident rate among global regions during the year under review, despite an overall improvement in the continent’s safety performance compared with 2024.
The 2025 Annual Safety Report released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), airlines registered in the Africa–Indian Ocean (AFI) region recorded seven accidents in 2025.
The region’s all-accident rate declined significantly to 7.86 accidents per million flight sectors, down from 12.13 accidents per million sectors in 2024.
The 2025 figure was also lower than the AFI five-year average of 9.37 accidents per million sectors.
Despite the improvement, Africa remained the region with the highest accident rate globally in 2025.
Fatality risk in the region increased from zero in 2024 to 2.19 per million sectors in 2025, according to the report.
The report indicates that runway excursions and incidents classified as “other end state” were the most common accident categories involving African operators during the year.
A review of “other end state” events dating back to 2018 shows that the AFI region accounts for the majority of such cases globally.
The category is used when investigators cannot determine a precise accident classification due to insufficient or incomplete information.
IATA said the trend highlights gaps in accident investigation processes and compliance with international reporting standards.
The report notes that 71 percent of accidents involving operators registered in the AFI region involved turboprop aircraft.
Turboprop aircraft are widely used in Africa for regional and short-haul operations, particularly on routes connecting secondary airports and remote communities.
Globally, the aviation industry recorded 51 accidents across 38.7 million flights in 2025.
This represents a reduction from the 54 accidents recorded in 2024 when 37.9 million flights were operated.
The global all-accident rate stood at 1.32 accidents per million flights in 2025, equivalent to one accident for every 759,646 flights.
This was an improvement from the 2024 rate of 1.42 accidents per million flights but slightly above the five-year global average of 1.27 accidents per million flights between 2021 and 2025.
Eight fatal accidents were recorded globally in 2025, compared with seven in 2024 and a five-year average of six.
A total of 394 onboard fatalities were reported in 2025.
This marked a significant increase from the 244 fatalities recorded in 2024 and exceeded the five-year average of 198 fatalities.
IATA attributed the rise in global fatalities primarily to a small number of major accidents.
Two incidents—Air India Flight 171 and PSA Airlines Flight 5342—accounted for more than 77 percent of all passenger and crew deaths recorded during the year.
Fatality risk globally increased to 0.17 per million flights in 2025, compared with 0.06 in 2024 and the five-year average of 0.12.
Airlines that are members of IATA recorded stronger safety performance indicators than non-member carriers.
The all-accident rate for IATA member airlines declined to 0.72 accidents per million flights in 2025, compared with 1.11 in 2024.
The figure was also lower than the five-year average of 0.80.
Airlines participating in the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) registry also demonstrated improved safety outcomes.
IOSA-registered airlines recorded an all-accident rate of 0.98 per million flights, significantly lower than the 2.55 accidents per million flights recorded by non-IOSA carriers.
All IATA member airlines eligible for the audit are included in the IOSA registry.
Across all regions, the most common accident types in 2025 included tail strikes, landing gear-related events, runway excursions, and ground damage.
These categories are typically associated with aircraft operations during take-off, landing, or ground handling.
The report highlighted that no loss-of-control-in-flight (LOC-I) accidents were recorded in 2025. Loss-of-control incidents have historically been among the most significant causes of aviation fatalities.
The absence of such accidents in 2025 marks only the second occurrence since 2020.
Airport infrastructure issues contributed to 16 percent of all accidents recorded worldwide in 2025.
IATA identified several factors related to airport environments that increased accident severity in certain cases.
These include rigid obstacles located near runways, inadequate runway safety areas, poor markings or lighting, runway surface contamination, and other hazards within protected operational zones.
The report states that in some incidents, the presence of obstacles near runways increased the severity of accidents, turning otherwise survivable events into fatal occurrences.
The report also examined risks associated with civil aviation operations near military conflict zones.
The expansion of active conflict areas has led to increased rerouting of commercial aircraft and greater operational complexity for airlines.
In several regions, military activity has taken place near established civilian flight corridors.
Recent geopolitical tensions, including hostilities involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, were cited as examples of developments that have disrupted air traffic routes and required airlines to adjust flight paths.
IATA said governments are responsible for closing or restricting airspace when risks to civil aviation cannot be adequately mitigated.
The report emphasizes the need for transparent and coordinated decision-making between military authorities and civil aviation regulators.
The association also stressed the importance of clear and consistent Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) and operational risk advisories to support airline safety assessments.
The report documented a sharp increase in incidents involving interference with Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), which aircraft use for navigation and flight management.
Data from IATA’s Incident Data eXchange shows that reported GNSS jamming events increased by 67 percent in 2025 compared with 2023 levels.
Reports of GPS spoofing—where false signals are transmitted to mislead navigation systems—rose by 193 percent over the same period.
IATA said these incidents pose operational challenges for airlines and require improved monitoring and mitigation measures by governments and air navigation service providers.
The report also examined global compliance with international accident investigation obligations under the Chicago Convention.
An analysis of accident investigations conducted between 2019 and 2023 showed that only 63 percent of final reports were completed in accordance with the timelines and reporting standards required under international aviation rules.
Significant regional differences were identified.
The Commonwealth of Independent States recorded the highest completion rate at 81 percent, followed by North America at 78 percent and Europe at 75 percent.
Asia-Pacific recorded a completion rate of 68 percent, North Asia 67 percent, the Middle East and North Africa 67 percent, and Latin America and the Caribbean 60 percent.
Africa recorded the lowest compliance rate at 19 percent.
IATA said delays or failures to publish accident investigation reports limit the availability of safety data needed to improve operational procedures and prevent future incidents.
To address the issue, the association has established a centralized digital platform that compiles safety recommendations from completed accident investigation reports.
The system is intended to improve access to safety data and support global aviation safety analysis.
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