IATA defends aviation safety
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International Air Transport Association (IATA) chief Tony Tyler today insisted flying is safe despite a succession of three tragedies in one week.
"With three tragedies in such quick succession, many people will, understandably, be asking questions about aviation safety. Our number one priority is safety. And despite the events of the past seven days, flying is safe," he said.
His comment followed the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 and the crashes of TransAsia Airways Flight GE222 and Air Algerie Flight AH5017.
“This has been a very sad week for everyone involved with aviation. Our heartfelt sorrow goes to all those who have lost their lives in these tragedies. And the industry’s thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones," he said.
Yet, he defended that despite the succession, air travel remains safety. Every day, approximately 100,000 flights take to the sky and land without incident. In 2013 more than three billion people flew and there were 210 fatalities.
"Regrettably, we have surpassed that number already this year. But even so, getting on an aircraft is still among the safest activities that one can do," Tyler said.
"Every accident is one too many. The greatest respect that we can pay to the memory of those involved is to leave nothing unturned in our quest to understand the cause and to take steps to ensure that it is not repeated.
"Safeguarding our customers from harm as we transport them around the world is core to the mission of the aviation industry. It has been that way throughout our development over the last century. And we continue to do everything in our power to make flying ever safer.”
