IOSA Carriers Lead Safety in IATA's 2024 Annual Report
iQSMS / April 7, 2025
Industry Safety Performance: Maintaining the Course
While 2024 didn’t match the record-breaking safety of 2023, the industry still performed better than the historical norm. The increase in fatal accidents and fatalities is something the industry takes seriously, but in the context of tens of millions of flights, the fatality risk remains very low. The takeaway: aviation is still one of the safest forms of transport, but continuous vigilance and improvement are crucial.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh emphasized the long-term safety improvements: “A decade ago, the five-year average (2011-2015) was one accident for every 456,000 flights. Today, the five-year average (2020-2024) is one accident for every 810,000 flights.” (Source)
IOSA: The Gold Standard in Airline Safety
The IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) remains an important indicator of airline safety performance. The 2024 safety report shows clear results: IOSA-registered airlines had an accident rate of 0.92 per million flights, while non-IOSA carriers experienced 1.70 – nearly double the rate. This difference highlights how standardized safety management systems and thorough auditing programs help improve operational safety across the industry.
How iQSMS Supports IOSA Excellence
Over the last decade, iQSMS has become a widely used solution among many IOSA-registered carriers worldwide. As of January 2025, over 100 IOSA-certified airlines use iQSMS – representing 22% of all IOSA-registered airlines globally.
The iQSMS Quality Module specifically supports airlines in meeting and exceeding IOSA standards by providing comprehensive tools for:
- Audit Planning and Execution: The system streamlines the management of audit plans and supports conducting safety and quality audits both online and offline.
- Regulations Database: Airlines can maintain regulatory compliance with an up-to-date regulations database, including IOSA standards.
- IOSA Preparation: iQSMS generates eIOSA Conformance Reports, including tracking of completed Auditor Actions—a critical requirement for IOSA certification.
- Cross-reference Management: iQSMS allows airlines to define cross-references between overlapping regulatory requirements, eliminating redundant auditing processes.
The Future: Supporting Risk-Based IOSA
As IATA transitions to its Risk-Based IOSA (RBI) approach, iQSMS is evolving alongside the industry. Our software supports the maturity assessment capabilities central to the new RBI framework, helping airlines to not just meet minimum requirements but to achieve “Leading” status in their safety management practices.
Looking Ahead
2024’s IATA Safety Report confirms what safety professionals have long understood – systematic approaches to safety management yield measurable results. With IOSA-registered carriers showing nearly half the accident rate of non-registered airlines, the value of comprehensive safety management systems is clear.
As IATA continues its evolution toward Risk-Based IOSA, airlines that embrace both robust safety management technologies and the philosophy of continuous improvement will be best positioned to maintain their safety advantages.
Whether you are preparing for initial IOSA certification or seeking to enhance your existing safety management processes, exploring iQSMS can be a valuable next step. A demonstration of how the system supports IOSA standards and risk-based auditing is available at no cost to interested airlines. Contact us today!
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