Citation

Oster C, Strong J. J. Transp. Res. Forum 1991; 32(1): 73-85.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1991, Transportation Research Forum)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper examines airline safety throughout the world to see whether there are systematic differences in safety across subsets of the industry. Safety performance in jet service is found to be markedly better in the developed world than it is in the developing world. In each region of the world both developed and developing, large carriers have generally better safety records than small carriers and predominantly jet carriers have generally better safety records than mixed fleet carriers. The aircraft operating in less safe segments of the industry have often been passed down from the safer segments. This can create a troubling mismatch of pilot and aircraft capability where the least qualified pilots are flying the least capable aircraft. In developing countries there may be another equally troubling mismatch of needs and capabilities. Older aircraft require more extensive maintenance with more sophisticated inspection techniques to ensure their structural integrity. The ability to use these techniques and conduct the proper repairs may be most difficult to find in developing countries where it is needed the most.