Aviation2Day

The global aviation industry soared to new heights in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and setting records in passenger demand and load factor. According to IATA’s December 2024 analysis, passenger travel hit unprecedented levels, driven by strong international and domestic markets across various regions. To understand the industry’s record-breaking year, it’s essential to know three critical aviation metrics: 1. Revenue Passenger-Kilometer (RPK) : This measures the total distance traveled by paying passengers. For example, if 100 passengers each travel 1,000 kilometers, the RPK is 100,000. It reflects overall passenger demand in the airline industry. In 2024, RPK grew by 10.4% compared to 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 3.8%. 2. Passenger Load Factor (PLF) : This indicates how efficiently airlines are filling available seats. It’s calculated by dividing RPK by Available Seat-Kilometer (ASK) and is expressed as a percentage. A higher PLF means better seat utilization. In 20...

The year 2025 has started with a concerning number of aviation accidents, highlighting the ongoing challenges in air safety. According to the latest safety report from the Flight Safety Foundation , January recorded 16 accidents, affecting both commercial airliners and corporate jets. The total casualty count stands at 87 fatalities from airliner accidents and 10 fatalities from corporate jet incidents. Key Accident Statistics (January 2025) Total airliner accidents: 11 Total corporate jet accidents: 5 Total fatalities: 97 Notable Incidents Commercial Airliners 2 January (USA): A CRJ-200 suffered a bird strike, a recurring hazard in aviation. 7 January (USA): A Boeing 787-9 encountered severe turbulence, underscoring the risks of inflight weather conditions. 9 January (USA): A Boeing 767-300F experienced a tailstrike, an incident that can lead to structural damage. 10 January (USA): A Boeing 757-300 suffered engine failure, raising concerns about engine reliability. 21 January (D.R. Co...

 A tragic aviation accident occurred in São Paulo, Brazil, on February 7, 2025, when a Beechcraft King Air F90 aircraft crashed while attempting an emergency landing on Marques de São Vicente Avenue in the Barra Funda district. The twin-engine aircraft, carrying at least two people, collided with a bus before erupting into flames, leading to multiple casualties and injuries. Eyewitnesses reported that the aircraft appeared to be in distress before descending rapidly towards the busy avenue. In its attempt to land, the King Air F90 struck a moving bus, causing a massive fireball upon impact. The crash site was engulfed in flames as emergency responders rushed to the scene. Both occupants of the aircraft were tragically killed in the accident. Additionally, several people on the ground, including bus passengers and a motorcyclist, sustained injuries due to the impact and resulting fire. The number of injured individuals is still being assessed as authorities continue their investigat...

Aviation has long been celebrated as one of the safest forms of transportation, with rigorous safety standards, cutting-edge technology, and highly trained professionals ensuring that millions of passengers reach their destinations safely every day. However, the closing months of 2024 and the start of 2025 have seen a series of aviation incidents, some fatal and others non-fatal, that have drawn global attention. For aviation enthusiasts, these incidents serve as stark reminders of the complexities of modern flight. They highlight not only the rare but real risks involved but also the industry’s relentless pursuit of safety improvements. While such accidents can be alarming, understanding their causes and implications is crucial for grasping the bigger picture of aviation safety. Recent Aviation Incidents: Fatal and Non-Fatal 1. Jeju Air Crash – South Korea (December 29, 2024) A tragic accident occurred at Muan International Airport, South Korea, when a Jeju Air flight crashed during l...

Philadelphia, PA – February 1, 2025 A twin-engine Learjet 55 air ambulance, carrying six people, including a pediatric patient and her mother, crashed in a residential neighborhood in northeast Philadelphia shortly after taking off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE), according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) (CNN). The aircraft, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, was transporting the child and her mother back home to Mexico after receiving medical treatment in Philadelphia. Also on board were a pilot, co-pilot, paramedic, and doctor, Jet Rescue spokesperson Shai Gold told CNN. The plane was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF) in Missouri for refueling before continuing to Tijuana, Mexico, as its final destination. The Learjet 55, registered XA-UCI, took off just after 6 p.m. ET and climbed to 1,650 feet before suddenly plummeting. ADS-B Exchange data indicated the aircraft had a final descent rate of 11,000 feet per minute, suggesting a catastr...

  A tragic mid-air collision occurred today near Washington, D.C., involving an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. The accident happened over the Potomac River, close to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, leading to a major search and rescue operation. The American Airlines regional flight, operating as Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, was a Bombardier CRJ700 carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. The military helicopter had three soldiers on board. The collision took place at approximately 9 p.m. Eastern Time, under unknown circumstances. Following the impact, both aircraft plunged into the Potomac River. Emergency response teams, including the U.S. Coast Guard, fire and rescue units, and law enforcement, rushed to the scene. So far, several bodies have been recovered, while four survivors have been rescued from the water. As a result of the crash, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has temporarily suspended ...

  On Mojave, California – January 28, 2025 – Boom Supersonic has officially reignited the conversation about supersonic travel. The company’s XB-1 demonstrator successfully completed its first supersonic flight, a landmark achievement in aviation history, raising the question: Is this the supersonic comeback we’ve been waiting for? The flight, which took place at Mojave Air & Space Port in California, saw the XB-1 exceed the speed of sound, reaching Mach 1.1 (approximately 844 mph or 1,360 km/h) at an altitude of 34,000 feet. This marks the first time a civil aircraft has broken the sound barrier since the retirement of the Concorde in 2003, after over 30 years of service as the world’s only supersonic airliner. The XB-1, a one-third scale prototype designed to test the technology for Boom’s full-sized Overture aircraft, was piloted by Tristan "Geppetto" Brandenburg, Boom’s chief test pilot. The 34-minute flight demonstrated the aircraft’s capabilities and brought Boom on...

 Toulouse, 21 January 2025 – ATR, the global leader in regional aircraft manufacturing, has announced a groundbreaking milestone in air travel: the integration of high-speed Starlink internet connectivity on its ATR 72 aircraft. Following successful test flights on the ATR 72-600 test aircraft, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has certified this innovative solution, marking a new era for regional aviation. The first airline to adopt this cutting-edge technology will be Air New Zealand, a long-time ATR partner, which will introduce Starlink connectivity to its domestic flights starting in 2025. This innovation was made possible through a collaboration with PMV Engineering, which developed the modifications necessary for Starlink's certification on ATR aircraft. The solution is now available as a retrofit option for ATR 72-500 and ATR 72-600 operators globally through a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC). Starlink, engineered by SpaceX, boasts the world’s largest sat...

  Airbus achieved a remarkable milestone in 2024, delivering 766 commercial aircraft to 86 customers worldwide, marking an increase from 735 deliveries in 2023. This accomplishment was coupled with a strong order intake of 878 gross orders, translating to 826 net orders, solidifying Airbus’s position as a leader in the aviation industry. Deliveries included a strong performance from the A320 Family, while gross orders for widebody aircraft featured 82 A330s and 142 A350s, reflecting growing demand in these segments. These achievements underline a resurgence in the aviation sector, with renewed demand for both widebody and single-aisle aircraft. Christian Scherer, CEO of Airbus’s Commercial Aircraft division, emphasized the importance of 2024 as a year of sustained demand and significant milestones, including the first deliveries of the A321XLR, A330neo, and A350 to new customers globally. The company’s end-of-year backlog stood at an impressive 8,658 aircraft, showcasing confidence...