# IATA Annual Safety Report (62nd edition)

**Publisher:** IATA  
**Published:** n/a  
**Category:** Global institutions & policy  
**Type:** Report  
**Access:** Free  
**Official source:** https://www.iata.org/en/publications/safety-report  
**Canonical:** https://tourismintel.ai/reports/iata-safety-report

## At a glance
- IATA publishes its 62nd annual aviation safety report, a foundational reference for commercial aviation accident data since 1964.
- The Accident Classification Task Force (ACTF) validates and categorises accidents from commercial aviation operations with certified aircraft of minimum 5,700 kg take-off weight.
- Final accident investigation reports provide findings, contributing factors and safety recommendations to prevent future occurrences and strengthen industry practices.
- Report methodology acknowledges that many investigations remain incomplete at classification time; historical data may be revised as new facts emerge.

## What the report covers
The IATA Annual Safety Report presents global commercial aviation accident data covering scheduled and charter passenger or cargo services. Published by IATA and the Accident Classification Task Force—comprising safety experts from airlines, manufacturers, and industry bodies—the report identifies emerging safety issues, validates mitigation strategies, and guides research. This 62nd edition leverages enhanced methodology and a digital platform to strengthen accessibility and value for stakeholders worldwide.

## Key findings
The report serves as a key reference document for global commercial aviation accident data, supporting the industry's ongoing commitment to safety improvement. Since its inaugural publication in 1964, the annual edition has evolved through dedicated efforts by IATA, the ACTF, and the wider safety community. Enhancements in methodology and transition to a digital platform have strengthened its value and accessibility to stakeholders worldwide.

The ACTF is composed of safety experts from IATA member airlines, original equipment manufacturers, professional associations and federations, and other industry stakeholders. All accidents included in the report are reviewed, validated and classified by ACTF members. The task force is reviewing taxonomies and definitions for aviation accidents to ensure they reflect current industry best practices and create uniform industry language.

The report acknowledges that commercial aviation accidents remain rare events, yet each occurrence offers critical lessons on system performance, human factors and operational practices. Final accident investigation reports are central to the learning process, as they provide findings, conclusions, contributing factors and safety recommendations that transform each incident into actionable insights. By applying documented lessons, the aviation community ensures each accident contributes to strengthening safety and preventing reoccurrences.

Methodological caveats apply to the data presented. Accidents analysed and categories assigned are based on best available information at classification time. Many accident investigations remain incomplete when the ACTF meets to classify yearly events, and additional facts uncovered during investigation could change currently assigned classifications. Historical numbers may not exactly match earlier editions due to accident data and sector updates during intervening periods.

## Key numbers
| Metric | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| IATA Annual Safety Report edition number | 62nd | Current edition; report first published in 1964 |
| Minimum certified aircraft take-off weight covered by ACTF | 5,700 kg (12,540 lb.) | Threshold for commercial aviation operations included in accident analysis |
| Benchmark period for data comparison | 2021–2025 | Results from these years used as benchmarks in the 2025 Safety Report |

## Why it matters
**DMOs & destinations** — Aviation safety data informs destination risk assessment and tourism confidence messaging. Understanding global accident trends, contributing factors and mitigation strategies helps DMOs communicate safety credentials to source markets and respond to safety-related travel concerns, protecting tourism demand and destination reputation.

**Hotels & hospitality** — Hospitality operators depend on aviation safety and reliability for consistent international guest arrival. Insights from IATA's accident classification and prevention recommendations influence airline route viability and passenger confidence, directly affecting booking patterns, occupancy rates and revenue at leisure and business destinations.

**Travel tech & distribution** — GDSs, booking platforms and travel insurers use aviation safety data to assess flight risk, price products and communicate confidence to consumers. IATA's taxonomy, definitions and accident trends inform underwriting models, alert systems and customer trust messaging across distribution channels.

## Methodology and limits
The report analyses accidents from commercial aviation operations—scheduled and charter passenger or cargo services—with certified aircraft of minimum 5,700 kg take-off weight. The Accident Classification Task Force, comprising safety experts from airlines, manufacturers and professional bodies, reviews, validates and classifies all reported accidents. Classification is based on best available information at the time of ACTF review; many investigations remain incomplete at classification, so assignments may change as new facts emerge. Benchmark comparisons reference 2021–2025 data; historical figures may be revised due to data or sector updates.

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© IATA for the original report. This brief is an original editorial summary by TourismIntel (https://tourismintel.ai). Read the original: https://www.iata.org/en/publications/safety-report