2014 saw more flight deaths than normal, though there were fewer accidents

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released its annual safety report, and the results are a mixed bag.

2014 saw a record low number of accidents, with one accident for every 4.4 million flights. And the number of fatal crashes actually decreased in 2014, from 16 in 2013 to 12 last year. But thanks to high-profile disasters, 2014 saw more accidental commercial airline fatalities, with 641 deaths from airline disasters. The five-year average is 517, and 2013 saw 210 accidental fatalities.

The 641 deaths don't include the 298 lost on Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, because it was shot down over Ukraine, so it isn't considered an accident. Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which disappeared while en route from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Beijing, is included in the 641, with 239 people lost.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up