Aviation consultancy Ascend has reported that 828 people lost their lives in air accidents in 2010, a 13% rise over 2009 figures. The number of fatal accidents rose by five to 28, some 4% worse than the average for the decade of 794.
The crash of an Air India Express 737 aircraft in May was cited as the worst, as it killed all 152 passengers and six crew on board.
However, looking more longer-term, the number of fatalities is dropping. The average number of fatalities for the decade was down to 27.2 from 37.6 in the 1990s.
Paul Hayes, London-based Ascend’s safety director, said: “Air safety is still improving, and this has resulted in 100 fewer fatal accidents during that last decade than in the 1990s.” 2009 was the safest year on record, with 731 reported deaths.
Air accident liabilities and hull losses for insurers was $2.15 billion in 2010, which is slightly more than the $2.1 billion collected in premiums. Ascend reports that losses have matched or exceeded the value of incoming business for four years, at a cost of $900 million, which Hayes says means the insurance industry needs to increase charges.