Safest year for flights recorded in 2006

Last year was the safest on record for the aviation industry, according to a new report.

The International Air Transport Association's (IATA) latest safety report revealed that there was one accident per 1.5 million flights on Western-built aircraft in 2006, an improvement of 14 per cent over 2005.

A total of 77 accidents occurred in 2006, compared with 111 the previous year. About 43 per cent of incidents took place due to bad weather.

"The safety results for 2006 are impressive. Air transport remains the safest form of travel. But we must do even better," commented IATA director-general and chief executive Giovanni Bisignani.

He added: "The goal will always be zero accidents."

Earlier this month, findings from Barclaycard Business' latest business travel survey suggested that 96 per cent of corporate flyers feel safe onboard flights, with an increasing number of travellers taking safety precautions before setting off.

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