Global air traffic continues to grow, yet aviation retains its position as the safest mode of transport. This is highlighted by the latest flight safety data for 2025 published by Airbus, offering an overview of key trends and emerging challenges in commercial aviation.
According to the report, global air traffic reached approximately 35.2 million flights in 2025, representing an increase compared to nearly 34 million flights recorded in 2024. During the same period, the commercial aviation network transported more than five billion passengers worldwide, confirming the continued recovery and expansion of the global aviation sector.
Accident statistics remain very low in relation to the scale of operations. In 2025, six accidents resulting in hull loss were recorded, three of which were fatal. A year earlier, twelve hull loss accidents were reported, including four fatal events.
Although the numbers remain small relative to the overall volume of traffic, safety analyses show that certain patterns of incidents tend to recur. For this reason, the industry continues to emphasise the importance of thoroughly analysing every accident in order to identify root causes and develop practical preventive measures that can be shared across the global aviation community.
At the same time, the operational environment in aviation is becoming increasingly complex. Passenger traffic is expected to continue expanding in the coming years, with a long-term annual growth rate of around 3.6 percent. As the number of flights increases, exposure to operational risks naturally rises, while additional complexity is introduced by new operators, new types of operations and evolving geopolitical conditions.
In such an environment, safety is not determined solely by technology but also by organisational culture. “Fostering a positive safety culture based on open communication and strong safety leadership is essential to develop and implement effective safety measures within organisations,” said Sophie Rougé, Head of Safety Governance.
One of the increasingly significant challenges in modern aviation is linked to the sheer number of electronic devices carried by passengers. It is estimated that during 2025 aircraft transported between 20 and 25 billion portable electronic devices, including smartphones, laptops and other equipment powered by lithium-ion batteries.
As a result, the risk of lithium battery fires is becoming a growing focus of safety analysis. In this context, passengers themselves play an important role in the overall safety system, as proper packing and handling of electronic devices can significantly reduce potential hazards during flight.
Regulators such as EASA and the FAA, together with international organisations including ICAO and IATA, continue to update their guidance regarding the transport and use of electronic devices on aircraft. Successfully managing this risk requires coordinated action from all stakeholders across the aviation system.
Publishing accident statistics serves a clear purpose: improving safety in the future. Sharing safety data, operational experience and lessons learned among manufacturers, regulators and airlines has proven to be one of the key tools in further reducing risks across the global air transport system.
