More than 100 risk-based IOSA audits were conducted in 2024. These enhanced audits utilize a data-driven approach to identify the most critical safety issues for each operator, moving beyond a one-size-fits-all audit methodology. The results speak to their effectiveness: risk-based audits identified three times more non-conformities than conventional audits, demonstrating the power of targeted, intelligence-led safety oversight.

Safety performance varied significantly by region, highlighting the importance of targeted improvement programs. The Middle East and North Africa improved from 1.12 to 1.08 accidents per million sectors, while North America improved from 1.53 to 1.20 accidents per million sectors. However, Africa recorded the highest accident rate at 9.54 per million sectors, an increase from 8.36 in 2023, underscoring the need for continued focus on safety capacity building in emerging aviation markets.

The industry faces several critical challenges that will shape safety management in the coming years. Leveraging artificial intelligence to extract actionable insights from expanding data collection efforts represents both an opportunity and a responsibility. Building resilience against emerging threats like GNSS interference and supply chain disruptions requires proactive risk management rather than reactive responses.
Ensuring consistent safety standards implementation across all regions and operators remains fundamental, as does improving accident investigation reporting to enable industry-wide learning from every occurrence.
The 2024 safety performance demonstrates that aviation continues to be the safest form of transportation, even as operational complexity increases. For safety professionals, the key takeaway is clear: robust safety management systems, comprehensive data collection, and proactive risk management remain essential tools for maintaining aviation’s exemplary safety record in an increasingly complex operational environment.