Why 2025 Has Seen So Many Plane Crashes – And What’s Being Done About It

Crash of a Delta plane in Toronto adds to a difficult start to the year in terms of air accidents. Since the beginning of 2025, air transportation has resulted in over 200 fatalities. Is flying safe?

Since the start of 2025, air transportation has recorded more than 200 fatalities and multiple serious accidents. This figure marks a record compared to previous years, raising concerns.

One of the most recent incidents occurred on Monday, February 17, when a Delta Air Lines plane suffered a dramatic accident while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Canada.

The aircraft, arriving from Minneapolis, overturned on the runway, injuring 18 people, three of them critically. Among the critically injured are a minor, a man in his 60s, and a woman in her 40s, all of whom were airlifted to nearby hospitals. The crash occurred amid adverse weather conditions, including strong winds and snowfall.

This incident adds to a worrying trend this year. Reports indicate that at least 14 airplane accidents have occurred since the beginning of 2025, involving both commercial and private aircraft, with a total of more than 200 fatalities.

Two Months and one record

This figure marks a record compared to previous years, sparking concerns about global aviation safety. However, safety protocols remain unchanged, and efforts continue to ensure secure flights amid increasingly congested airspace and more severe weather events.

February 17 – A Delta Air Lines plane overturned while landing in Toronto, Canada. Eighteen people were injured, three critically.
February 10 – A private cargo plane crashed on the outskirts of Berlin, Germany. All three crew members on board died.
February 5 – A commercial airplane crashed in São Paulo, Brazil, resulting in 42 fatalities.
January 30 – A private jet crashed into the sea off the coast of the Philippines. None of the eight occupants survived.
January 25 – A passenger aircraft suffered a mechanical failure and crashed in southern India, killing 51 people.
January 20 – A helicopter accident in Alaska killed five people.
January 18 – A collision between a helicopter and a small aircraft in Washington, U.S., resulted in four deaths and two serious injuries.
January 15 – A European airline’s plane suffered a technical failure and crashed at Madrid Airport, causing multiple injuries but no fatalities.
January 10 – A small private aircraft crashed in a mountainous area of Argentina, killing four people.
January 5 – A commercial airplane accident in central China resulted in 88 fatalities.
January 2 – A military aircraft suffered an engine failure and crashed at a U.S. base, killing seven people.

Miraculous that all 80 passengers survived today's crash-landing in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/Iu249zQUvq
— Molly Ploofkins (@Mollyploofkins) February 18, 2025

Safety Protocols: The Strictest in the World

Aviation safety is a global priority governed by strict international regulations and protocols.

These protocols are established and overseen by specialized organizations, such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Below are some of the key protocols ensuring aviation safety worldwide:

ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs): ICAO establishes safety operational standards and recommended practices (SARPs) that member states must implement in their national regulations.
State Safety Programs (SSP): Each country must develop a State Safety Program to monitor aviation safety performance within its jurisdiction.
Safety Management Systems (SMS): Airlines and operators must have an SMS in place to identify, assess, and mitigate safety risks in daily operations.
Air Traffic Control (ATC): Air traffic controllers follow international procedures to ensure safe aircraft separation and prevent collisions both in the air and on the ground.
Safety Inspections and Maintenance: Aircraft must undergo regular safety inspections and preventive maintenance to ensure safe operation.
Airport Security Protocols: These include restricted access controls, baggage and passenger inspections, and measures against unlawful interference, such as terrorism.
Regulations on Transporting Dangerous Goods: Strict regulations govern the air transport of hazardous materials to minimize risks.
Personnel Training and Certification: Pilots, crew members, air traffic controllers, and maintenance staff must comply with training programs and periodic certifications.
Emergency Response Plans: Protocols are in place to effectively respond to aviation incidents, including evacuations, fires, and emergency landings.
International Collaboration: Countries and airlines cooperate through international agreements to share information on threats, best practices, and technological advancements in aviation safety.

These protocols ensure that aviation remains one of the safest modes of transportation in the world, thanks to constant oversight and the continuous improvement of global safety standards.