Flight Deaths Up, Accidents Down

In its annual safety report, the International Air Transport Association noted the marked increase in jetliner accident deaths in 2014, but also said fewer accidents were occurring. The report, which was released Monday, said 641 people died in airline disasters in 2014. That death toll does not include the 298 people killed on Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 because it was shot down while flying over Ukraine and, thus, is not considered an accident. The total was higher than 2013’s toll of 210, as well as the five-year average of 517. However, the number of fatal crashes actually dropped in 2014, to 12 from 16. In fact, based on the total number of flights, 2014 notched a record low of one significant accident for every 4.4 million flights.