Recent incidents in the aviation industry, such as the Alaska Airlines door disaster and Southwest Airlines’ near crash-landing, have raised concerns about the safety of flying. While some experts believe that flying is still the safest form of transportation ever designed, others argue that the dangers are being downplayed. Many passengers have been canceling flights due to fears around air travel, despite statistics showing that driving is actually more dangerous than flying.
According to experts, the actual act of flying on a commercial jetliner is the safest part of the trip. Despite the occasional mechanical mishaps, the majority of these incidents are minor and quickly resolved. These experts also point out that diverting a plane for maintenance is often done out of an abundance of caution, rather than there being an imminent danger. In the last decade, only five people have died on commercial scheduled flights in the US, further supporting the argument that flying is relatively safe when compared to other forms of transportation.
However, some incidents have highlighted the potential risks associated with air travel. For example, a Boeing plane operated by Alaska Airlines experienced a door malfunction at 16,000 feet, which could have been catastrophic if it occurred at a higher altitude. Critics argue that there is an overconfidence in the safety of the aviation industry, and that more attention should be paid to potential risks to prevent future disasters. The National Transportation Safety Board has called for the installation of systems in cockpits that warn of possible runway collisions, but action has yet to be taken by aviation companies.
Despite the relatively low number of fatalities in commercial aviation, experts warn against becoming complacent about the safety of air travel. While flying is statistically safer than driving, it is important to address potential risks and improve safety measures in the aviation industry. The need for technology to prevent accidents and a shift in mindset around aviation safety are some of the key recommendations from experts in the field. Ultimately, while flying remains one of the safest modes of transportation, continued vigilance and improvements are necessary to ensure the well-being of passengers and crew in the skies.
