The International Air Transport Association has revealed that Africa recorded the highest aviation accident rate in the world in 2025, according to its Annual Safety Report, underscoring persistent challenges in runway safety, turboprop operations, and timely accident investigations.

According to a Monday report on their website, seven accidents occurred in Africa, down from 11 in 2024, resulting in an all-accident rate of 7.86 per million flights, below the five-year regional average of 9.37.

However, the continent’s “fatality risk increased sharply from zero in 2024 to 2.19 per million flights,” largely driven by turboprop incidents.

IATA noted that “71% of accidents involving African operators involved turboprops,” while the most common types were “runway excursions and other end state events,” where precise classification was not possible due to limited information.

In comparison, other regions reported lower accident rates and fatality risks.

The report said, “Asia-Pacific had six accidents in 2025, down from seven in 2024, with fatality risk stable at 0.15 per million flights. Europe recorded 11 accidents, an improvement from 12, and maintained a zero fatality risk.

“Latin America and the Caribbean reported five accidents, down from five in 2024, with fatality risk decreasing from 0.37 to 0.26 per million flights.

“North America saw 16 accidents, up from 14, with fatality risk increasing from zero to 0.21.

“The Middle East and North Africa had one accident with zero fatalities, while North Asia reported one non-fatal accident, keeping fatality risk at zero.

“The Commonwealth of Independent States experienced four accidents—all involving turboprops—with fatality risk rising from zero in 2024 to 0.69.”

IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh, pointed to infrastructure as a key factor in accident outcomes.

“Rigid obstacles near runways increased accident severity, likely turning otherwise survivable occurrences into fatal ones.

“All airports and regulators should continuously review runway safety areas and structures near runways for compliance with global safety standards.

“Airport infrastructure and runway environments play a critical role in accident outcomes. In several events, rigid obstacles near runways increased accident severity, likely turning otherwise survivable occurrences into fatal ones,” he said.

The report also highlighted Africa’s significant lag in accident investigations.

Only 19% of accident reports were completed in line with Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention, compared with 81% in the Commonwealth of Independent States and 78% in North America.

Walsh said, “Accident investigation helps us improve safety, but many reports are not published in a timely, complete, or accessible way… coordinated global support to strengthen investigation capabilities is needed.”

Globally, 2025 recorded 51 accidents among 38.7 million flights, slightly fewer than 54 accidents in 2024, but fatal accidents rose to eight, resulting in 394 onboard fatalities, compared with 244 in 2024.

Walsh emphasised, “Flying is the safest form of long-distance travel… every accident is, of course, one too many. The goal for aviation remains zero accidents and zero fatalities.”

The IATA report also warned of emerging risks from conflict zones and GNSS interference, which can mislead aircraft navigation.

Walsh stressed, “Civil aircraft must never be placed at risk from military activity—deliberately or accidentally.

“When tensions rise, governments must share timely risk information, ensure effective civil–military coordination, and provide airlines with sufficient information for their own risk assessments.”