The year 2024 proved to be catastrophic for the global aviation sector, marked by several major plane crashes and significant loss of life.
On December 29, just two days before the year ended, a plane carrying 181 people crashed in Muan, South Korea, leaving 179 dead. Miraculously, two cabin crew members were rescued alive from the debris. Earlier, on December 25, an Embraer ERJ 190AR operated by Azerbaijan Airlines crashed near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan, claiming 38 lives.
In total, 217 people lost their lives in two major crashes during the second half of the year. Prominent figures, including Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Malawi's Vice President Saulos Chilima, were among the victims of aviation disasters in 2024. Raisi died in a helicopter crash on May 20, while Chilima perished in a military plane crash the same month.
The tragic year continued with a private plane crash in Gramado, Brazil, on December 22, killing 10 members of a single family, including Brazilian businessman Luiz Claudio Galeazzi’s wife and three daughters. On December 24, an Air Canada aircraft caught fire while attempting to land. Two days earlier, a plane crashed in Papua New Guinea, killing all five people aboard.
In Argentina, a Bombardier Challenger 300 crashed near San Fernando Airport, killing both pilots. Another American plane crash near Daniel International Airport also claimed the lives of its two pilots. In Brazil, a plane crash in São Paulo on August 9 resulted in the deaths of all 62 passengers on board.
December 2024 alone witnessed six major crashes, resulting in 234 fatalities. These frequent incidents raised serious concerns about aviation safety protocols and technical standards.
Aviation Disasters in Nepal
Nepal was not immune to aviation tragedies. On July 24, a Saurya Airlines plane crash claimed 18 lives, and on August 7, an Air Dynasty helicopter crash in Kathmandu's Shivapuri area killed five people. These incidents followed the deadly crash of Yeti Airlines' ATR-72 in 2023, which killed all 72 onboard—the deadliest domestic flight disaster in Nepal till date.
Despite these incidents, Captain R.K. Sharma, Operational Director of Buddha Air, noted some improvements in Nepal's aviation sector in 2024. “Globally, 2024 was a tragic year for aviation, but Nepal saw some progress. However, the crashes involving Saurya Airlines and Air Dynasty have been deeply shocking,” he said.
Sharma emphasized the need for airlines to enhance safety, security, and managerial capacities.
Global Trends in Aviation
Globally, air passenger numbers continued to rise in 2024, adding pressure on airlines to strengthen safety measures. Aviation expert Achyut Pahadi described 2024 as a tragic year for aviation, while former Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Director General Sanjeev Gautam expressed concerns over the frequency of crashes toward the end of the year.
“The recent accidents have raised questions about aviation safety worldwide,” Gautam said. “Although Nepal had a relatively better year in aviation, the global scenario remains grim. It’s crucial for governments and stakeholders to learn from these incidents to enhance safety.”
ICAO’s Vision for the Future
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has set a goal to eliminate human-related aviation accidents by 2030. Meanwhile, air passenger numbers are growing annually by 10%, with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimating that global passenger numbers have reached nearly five billion.
In Nepal, air passenger growth remains robust. According to CAAN data, domestic passenger numbers increased by 13% in 2024, with 8.76 million passengers recorded by November, up from 7.7 million in 2023. International passenger numbers rose by 7.9%, reaching 4.45 million by November 2024.
Nepal’s aviation history has seen 108 accidents, claiming 959 lives. The first recorded crash involved India’s Kalinga Air in Simara nearly 70 years ago. Recent crashes in South Korea and Kazakhstan have further shaken confidence in global aviation safety, highlighting the urgent need for improved protocols and systems. -- RSS
