Qantas has topped a list of the world’s safest airlines for 2015, compiled by a safety and product rating website.
The Australian carrier has a fatality-free record in the jet era, noted AirlineRatings.com, which monitors 449 airlines.
Making up the remainder of the top 10 in alphabetical order are: Air New Zealand, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, Finnair, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines.
AirlineRatings.com’s rating system takes into account a variety of factors related to audits from aviation’s governing bodies and lead associations as well as government audits and the airlines’ fatality records.
Its editorial team also examined airlines’ operational histories, incident records and operational excellence to arrive at its top 10 safest airlines.
Low-cost does not mean low safety
Website editor Geoffrey Thomas said: “Our top 10 safest airlines are always at the forefront of safety innovation and launching new planes. They are a byword for excellence.
“There is no doubt that Qantas is a standout in safety enhancements and an industry benchmark for best practice.”
Over its 94-year history, Australia’s oldest airline has amassed a record of firsts in safety and operations.
“Qantas has been the lead airline in virtually every major advancement in airline safety over the past 60 years,” said Thomas.
The AirlineRatings.com editors also identified their top 10 safest low-cost airlines.
These are in alphabetical order: Aer Lingus, Alaska Airlines, Icelandair, Jetblue, Jetstar, Kulula.com, Monarch Airlines, Thomas Cook, TUI Fly and Westjet.
“Unlike a number of low-cost carriers, these airlines have all passed the stringent International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) audit and have excellent safety records,” said Thomas. “Low cost does not mean low safety.”
Of the 449 airlines surveyed, 149 have the top seven-star safety ranking, but almost 50 have just three stars or fewer.
Five airlines only achieved one star for safety from AirlineRatings.com. These are: Agni Air, Kam Air, Nepal Airlines, Scat and Tara Air.