2024: A grim year for aviation with major tragedies

KATHMANDU: The year 2024 will be remembered as one of the most tragic periods in the history of global aviation.

A series of devastating aircraft accidents claimed hundreds of lives, raising critical questions about safety protocols and technical challenges in the industry.

December Crashes Highlight a Grim End to the Year

On December 29, just two days before the end of the year, a plane carrying 181 people crashed in Muan, South Korea. The accident left 179 dead, with only two survivors rescued from the wreckage.

Four days earlier, on December 25, an Embraer ERJ 190AR aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines crashed near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan, resulting in 38 fatalities.

These incidents were part of a series of six major crashes in December alone, claiming a total of 234 lives. On December 22, 10 family members of Brazilian businessman Luiz Claudio Galeazzi died in a private plane crash in Gramado, Brazil. Another crash on the same day in Papua New Guinea killed all five passengers on board.

Additionally, an Air Canada aircraft caught fire during landing on December 24, while a Bombardier Challenger 300 crash near Argentina’s San Fernando Airport claimed the lives of both pilots.

High-Profile Losses and Global Impact

Prominent figures were also among the casualties in 2024. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi perished in a helicopter crash on May 20, and Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Chilima died in a military plane crash the same month.

Together, these tragedies underscored the vulnerability of even the most advanced aviation systems.

Other significant incidents included the August 9 crash of a Brazilian aircraft in São Paulo, killing all 62 on board, and an American plane crash near Daniel International Airport, which also resulted in two fatalities.

Nepal: Mixed Outcomes in Aviation

Nepal was not spared from the global trend. On July 24, a Sourya Airlines plane crash killed 18 people, and an Air Dynasty helicopter crash in Kathmandu’s Shivapuri area on August 7 claimed five lives. However, local aviation experts noted some improvements in overall safety.

Captain RK Sharma, operational director of Buddha Air, remarked, “While 2024 was globally tragic for aviation, Nepal’s progress in safety measures offers some hope.” Nevertheless, he emphasized the need for continued focus on aviation safety and management.

Rising Air Traffic and Pressures

The growing number of air passengers globally has added pressure on aviation systems. According to the International Air Transport Association, nearly five billion passengers traveled worldwide in 2024, with an annual growth rate of 10%. Nepal also experienced a surge, with domestic passengers increasing by 13% and international passengers by 7.9% compared to 2023.

Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) data revealed that 8.76 million domestic passengers traveled by November 2024, up from 7.7 million the previous year. International passengers reached 4.45 million during the same period.

Calls for Strengthened Safety Measures

Experts stressed the urgency of addressing safety concerns. Aviation expert Achyut Pahadi described 2024 as a “tragic year,” while former CAAN Director General Sanjeev Gautam called for global efforts to strengthen safety protocols. “Learning from these accidents is crucial to restoring confidence in aviation,” Gautam stated.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aims to eliminate human-related accidents by 2030, a goal that seems distant given the events of 2024. Since Nepal’s first recorded crash involving Kalinga Air 70 years ago, the country has experienced 108 air accidents with 959 fatalities.

A Year to Reflect and Reform

As 2025 begins, the aviation industry must confront the challenges exposed by 2024’s tragedies. While the rise in passenger numbers underscores aviation’s global importance, the catastrophic loss of life demands urgent action to enhance safety and prevent further disasters.