Amidst recent tragedies, a global aviation leader has come out and defended the industry, with claims that flying has never been safer.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Director General, Tony Tyler, said at the group’s 71st annual meeting, that travelling by plane is safer, despite recent disasters.
The announcement comes after the MH370 disappearance last year and MH17’s fatal crash over Ukraine.
Despite recent air crashes, Tyler says flying is still safe.
There was also AirAsia’s QZ8501, which crashed into the Java Sea in December plus TransAsia’s collision with a bridge earlier this year.
And then there’s the Germanwings A320 incident, which saw the co-pilot fly the plane into the French Alps.
However, despite all recent headlining events, Mr Tyler said one jet hull loss will only occur every 4.4 million flights.
“In contrast, paradoxically so, aviation safety has been a constant in recent headlines.”
Tony Tyler, IATA Director General
During the meeting, he described recent air accidents as ‘extraordinary events’ and said the ‘greatest tribute’ they could make was to improve flying safety, which is ‘precisely what is being done’.
He explained that new tracking standards are being introduced to prevent another plane disappearance.
Tyler says new tech is being installed to prevent future incidents.
The new system will see airlines track planes every 15 minutes – an improvement from the current 30 to 40 minute intervals.
Airlines such as Air Canada, Air Berlin, Lufthansa, easyJet have also introduced a new ‘rule of two‘ for the cockpit.
The new rule ensures two air staff are always in the cockpit – this will prevent one pilot from locking the other out.
“In the near future, emerging technology and proposed new practices will move us closer to ensuring that never again will an aircraft simply disappear.”
Tony Tyler, IATA Director General