Each year brings us new challenges. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has
challenged every aspect of life and industry on earth. As restrictions are
eased here in Europe, the economic and human cost of this tragedy is yet
to be fully understood. Normally, the aviation system provides a means to
connect with those important to us at critical times in their lives. While
this function has been significantly interrupted, and many other barriers
stop us from meeting up with family and friends, aviation has remained
a vital method of ensuring that essential medical expertise and supplies
are able to be shipped to where they are most needed in the world, often
using modified passenger aircraft that have been specially certified for
cargo operations.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has released its 15th annual safety review of European aviation. The analysis in the review provides a statistical summary across all domains of operation and is split into sections covering:
- aeroplanes,
- helicopters,
- balloons,
- sailplanes,
- aerodromes / ground handling and
- air traffic management / air traffic navigation services.
The ASR identifies the most important safety challenges faced in European aviation today and supports the decision making for the next edition of the European Plan for Aviation Safety (EPAS) to further improve aviation safety and environmental protection throughout Europe.
The most substantial contribution to the 268 total fatalities in 2019 comes
from the accident involving an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 that
crashed shortly after take-off on 10 March 2019 with the loss of all 157 lives
on board the aircraft. This was the second catastrophic accident involving
a Boeing 737 Max 8 in six months. On 29 October 2018, a Lion Air Boeing
737 Max 8 crashed shortly after take-off, with the loss of all 189 lives on
board the aircraft.
These accidents have led to one of the longest flight suspensions of a large
commercial aeroplane type.
EASA is conducting a thorough re-certification of the B737 MAX 8 in order
to ensure that the modified aircraft is safe to return to service.
Download the full report
Recommended for you...
