Tony Tyler,
Chief Executive Officer and Director General of IATA
“This
has been a very sad week for everyone involved with aviation. Our
heartfelt sorrow goes to all those who have lost their lives in these
tragedies. And the industry’s
thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones.
Every
accident is one too many. The greatest respect that we can pay to the
memory of those involved is to leave nothing unturned in our quest to
understand the cause
and to take steps to ensure that it is not repeated.
With
three tragedies in such quick succession, many people will,
understandably, be asking questions about aviation safety. Our number
one priority is safety. And
despite the events of the past seven days, flying is safe.
Every
day, approximately 100,000 flights take to the sky and land without
incident. In 2013 more than three billion people flew and there were 210
fatalities. Regrettably,
we have surpassed that number already this year. But even so, getting
on an aircraft is still among the safest activities that one can do.
Safeguarding
our customers from harm as we transport them around the world is core
to the mission of the aviation industry. It has been that way throughout
our development
over the last century. And we continue to do everything in our power to
make flying ever safer.”
Associate director
