Qantas has been named the world’s safest airline for 2016 by aviation safety monitor AirlineRatings.com.
Australia’s national carrier topped the list of the world’s 20 safest airlines for the third year running as a result of its “fatality-free record in the jet era”, which the site described as an “extraordinary record”.
The ratings system takes into account a range of factors including audits from aviation governing bodies, lead associations, government audits and each airline’s fatality record.
Airlineratings.com’s editorial team also examines each airline’s operational history, incident records and operational excellence in order to compile the list.
“In selecting Qantas as the world’s safest airline AirlineRatings.com editors noted that over its 95-year history the world’s oldest continuously operating airline has amassed an extraordinary record of firsts in operations and safety and is now accepted as the industry’s most experienced carrier,” the site said.
The site pointed to Qantas’ leadership in the development of Future Air Navigation System, the Flight Data Recorder to monitor plane and later crew performance, automatic landings using Global Navigation Satellite System as well as precision approaches around mountains in cloud using RNP.
“Qantas was the lead airline with real time monitoring of its engines across its fleet using satellite communications, which has enabled the airline to detect problems before they become a major safety issue,” it added.
Meanwhile, 2015 was described as a “disturbing year” for airline safety with a number of “tragic and bizarre” incidents including the GermanWings and Metrojet disasters.
Nonetheless, the year’s 16 accidents with 560 fatalities were below the 10-year average of 31 accidents and 714 fatalities, according to Aviation-Safety.net data. Last year was also a significant improvement over 2014 when there were 21 fatal accidents with 986 fatalities.
The world’s 20 safest airlines in alphabetical order, according to Airlineratings.com:
Air New Zealand
Alaska Airlines
All Nippon Airlines
American Airlines
Cathay Pacific Airways
Emirates
Etihad Airways
EVA Air
Finnair
Hawaiian Airlines
Japan Airlines
KLM
Lufthansa
Qantas
Scandinavian Airline System
Singapore Airlines
Swiss
United Airlines
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Australia
The world’s 10 safest low cost carriers in alphabetical order, according to AirlineRatings.com
Aer Lingus
Flybe
HK Express
Jetblue
Jetstar Australia
Thomas Cook
TUI Fly
Virgin America
Volaris
Westjet
