African Airlines Miss Out on Latest Global Safety Rankings

African airlines failed to make the cut in the latest global safety rankings by AirlineRatings.com, a site that evaluates the safety and in-flight product standards of 385 carriers worldwide.

The 2025 rankings highlight a gap in regional representation despite the prominence of carriers like Kenya Airways (KQ) and Ethiopian Airlines, which dominate air travel in Africa.

The rankings, which use a proprietary seven-star rating system, assess various factors, including fatal accident history, safety audits, fleet age, and adherence to industry-leading initiatives.

However, incidents beyond an airline’s control, such as bird strikes or turbulence-related injuries, are excluded from the evaluation.

Middle Eastern airlines performed strongly, with Emirates and Qatar Airways tying for third place, while Etihad Airways secured the seventh position.

Their consistent high rankings reflect robust safety protocols and modern fleets, positioning them as leaders in the global aviation industry.

Air New Zealand topped the list for 2025, retaining its position from previous years thanks to an unblemished safety record and its pilots’ expertise in navigating challenging airports such as Queenstown and Wellington.

“The airline operates in some of the world’s most demanding conditions, and its training programs are second to none,” said Sharon Petersen, CEO of AirlineRatings.com.

Qantas, ranked second, came close to displacing Air New Zealand but was edged out due to recent incidents and an older fleet. Petersen noted, “It was extremely close, with only 1.50 points separating the two airlines.”

The rankings aim to enhance passenger confidence by highlighting airlines’ safety credentials. AirlineRatings.com has also partnered with Skyscanner to introduce a flight booking platform that allows users to filter flights by safety ratings, price, and duration.

While the absence of African carriers in the rankings underscores the challenges the region faces in meeting global standards, regional heavyweights like Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways continue to play a critical role in connecting the continent to international markets.

Ethiopian Airlines, widely regarded as Africa’s most successful carrier, has made strides in fleet modernisation and safety practices but has yet to secure a spot on the global leaderboard.

gandae@businessdayafrica.org