The International Air Transport Association (IATA) highlighted the need for stronger integration of people, technology, and global standards to deliver the next advances in aviation safety. “Aviation is safer today than it was a decade ago. In that timeframe, fatal accident rates have improved from one accident per 3.5 million flights to one per 5.6 million flights. But 2025 still saw the loss of 394 lives in aviation accidents. Every fatality strengthens our resolve to do better. The next advance in safety will come from people, technology, and standards working together better as one resilient system,” said Mark Searle, IATA’s Director of Safety, speaking at the opening of the IATA World Safety and Operations Conference 2026 in Istanbul.