Global air crash deaths rise to 334 in 2024 - German Aviation Association
07/01/2025
The worst air tragedy of 2024 occurred on December 29 when a Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by Jeju Air exploded and burst into flames after crashing into a concrete wall at Muan International Airport during landing. - AP file image
BERLIN: The number of deaths from global air crashes will rise sharply in 2024, with 334 people killed in accidents involving civil aviation, German media reported on Monday, citing preliminary data released by the German Aviation Association (BDL).
The death toll involved passengers, crew and seven individuals on land, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the report.
This figure represents a significant increase, more than four times compared to the 80 deaths recorded in 2023. These statistics include accidents involving aircraft with a seating capacity of at least 14 passengers.
Data on incidents involving small aircraft were not yet available, while accidents involving military aircraft were not included in the report.
While the BDL has reported an increase in air accidents since hitting its lowest figure in 2017, the association noted that aviation safety has made great strides in decades, with long-term trends showing a steady decline in accident rates.
"Flights were about 53 times safer last year than they were in the 1970s," said BDL managing director Joachim Lang.
The worst air tragedy of 2024 occurred on December 29 when a Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by Jeju Air from South Korea exploded and burst into flames after crashing into a concrete wall at Muan International Airport during landing.
The crash claimed the lives of 179 passengers. Investigations into the cause of the incident are still ongoing.
