Are Planes Really Crashing More Often? Unpacking the Air India 171 Tragedy and the State of Aviation Safety (2025)
Introduction If you’ve felt like airplane disasters are suddenly all over the news, you’re not alone. The horrific crash of Air India Flight 171 has shocked travelers and triggered tough questions about flight safety. But does this mean flying is genuinely getting riskier, or is there more happening beneath the headlines? Let’s dive into what happened with Flight 171, why it matters, and what it reveals about today’s aviation safety landscape. The Numbers: Is Flying Actually More Dangerous Now? Spoiler alert: Commercial aviation is still extraordinarily safe. Let’s look at the stats: • 2023: One of the safest years, only one fatal commercial accident globally. • 2024: 46 accidents out of over 40 million flights—an accident rate so small, flying remains far safer than driving. • 2025: Some fatal crashes—most notably Air India 171—have appeared, but the overall risk per flight stays exceptionally low. Perception isn’t always reality: Major accidents, though rare, get mas...