The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released the air safety performance report for 2014 and according to the report, the overall air transport safety has improved. The report came as a surprise as it was seen by everyone around the world as the worst year for air travel after the much publicized air disasters involving Malaysian Airlines MH370 and MH17 that claimed almost 600 lives in total.
Last year marked the most accident-free one on record for commercial airliners with one accident for every 4.4 million flights according to IATA, as reported in Times.
According to the study, the loss of MH370 which is still missing is classified under extraordinary circumstances and not an accident. The loss of another Malaysian Airlines MH17 that was shot down by missile over Ukraine was not classified as accident but as an ‘act of agression’.
Just for the record, there was no airline fatality in the United States in 2014. The sky over US is considered the most heavily traffic in the world.
“To the flying public an air tragedy is an air tragedy, regardless of how it is classified,” said Tony Tyler, IATA Director General and CEO. “The greatest tribute that we can pay to those who lost their lives in aviation-related tragedies is to continue our dedication to make flying ever safer.”