Home Australia Major blow for Qantas airline loses out on prestigious safety title as its fleet continues to age

Major blow for Qantas airline loses out on prestigious safety title as its fleet continues to age

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The head of Airline Ratings said there was not much difference between the safety of top airlines

Older planes have been blamed for Qantas narrowly losing the top air safety spot to a New Zealand competitor, as the Australian airline waits for new planes to replace its aging fleet.

Air New Zealand took pole position on website Airline Ratings List of the world’s safest airlines for the second year in a row after overtaking its trans-Tasman rival in 2024.

Virgin Australia was ranked fourth on the list, however three airlines tied for third place.

Qantas last topped the list in 2023 and its second place finish in the last two years has been attributed to an aging fleet.

“This is a fair point as they have an older fleet, quite old actually, and they recently had some issues with some of their older aircraft,” Rico Merkert, a professor at the University of Sydney and an expert in aviation, told AAP. aviation.

“That said, if well maintained, older aircraft can also be incredibly safe,” he added.

Airline Ratings chief executive Sharon Petersen said there was not much difference between top-tier airlines.

“While both airlines maintain the highest standards of safety and pilot training, Air New Zealand continues to have a younger fleet than Qantas, which separates them,” he said.

Virgin’s ranking was largely due to having a smaller fleet and operating fewer flights.

The head of Airline Ratings said there was not much difference between the safety of top airlines

Qantas could regain the top spot in next year's rankings as new planes enter service as part of the fleet renewal that began in 2023.

Qantas could regain the top spot in next year’s rankings as new planes enter service as part of the fleet renewal that began in 2023.

“Between Qantas, Emirates, Qatar, Cathay and Virgin, there is less than a dot separating them, it’s minuscule,” Ms Petersen said.

Bojana Spasojevic, a professor of aviation management at Griffith University, said fleet age does not directly correlate with safety.

While newer aircraft could increase passenger confidence, comprehensive maintenance and safety protocols remained crucial.

“However, passengers often perceive newer aircraft as safer and more comfortable, which can improve their overall travel experience,” Dr. Spasojevic said.

“Safety perceptions significantly influence passenger choices…sometimes even above cost considerations.”

Jetstar, owned by Qantas, was also ranked second in the safest low-cost airline ranking, behind Hong Kong Express, owned by Cathay Pacific.

A Qantas group spokesperson said both airlines were committed to safety as a top priority.

“The entire aviation industry is focused on ensuring flying remains the safest way to travel through continuous learning and improvement,” they said.

Airline Ratings uses fleet age and size, pilot skill and training, recent serious incidents, fatalities and profitability, along with other factors, to determine its ratings.

Qantas could regain the top spot in next year’s rankings as new planes enter service as part of a fleet renewal that began in 2023.

The airline’s program includes several models of Airbus aircraft, as well as long-haul Boeing 787 aircraft.

Purchasing planes was a costly and lengthy process, with manufacturers facing delays and many airlines competing for newer planes in a bid to reduce emissions with more fuel-efficient models, Professor Merkert said.

Petersen said air travel was one of the safest modes of transportation, but it also had passengers most nervous, in part because accidents – such as those in Kazakhstan and South Korea that killed more than 200 people in late December – attracted worldwide attention.

“When things go wrong, everyone knows it,” he said.

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