Aviation Insurance

In 2011, 2.8 billion people flew safely on 38 million flights, according to the International Air Transport Association. The global accident rate (as measured by the rate of hull losses on Western built jets) was 0.37 in 2011, or about one accident for every 2.7 million flights and was the lowest in aviation history. The global accident rate was down 39 percent from 2010, when the accident rate was 0.61 or one accident for every 1.6 million flights. (A hull loss is an accident in which the aircraft is destroyed or substantially damaged and is not subsequently repaired.) There were 92 accidents in 2011 (on Eastern and Western built aircraft), down from 94 in 2010.

In the United States the National Transportation Safety Board compiles data on aviation flight hours, accidents and fatalities for commercial and general aviation.

Commercial airlines are divided into two categories according to the type of aircraft used: aircraft with 10 or more seats and aircraft with fewer than 10 seats. The nonscheduled commercial aircraft with more than 10 seats are also called charter airlines. Commercial airlines flying aircraft with fewer than 10 seats include commuter (scheduled) airlines, and on-demand air taxis. General aviation includes all U.S. noncommercial or privately owned aircraft.