Two UAE-based carriers, Emirates and Etihad Airways, have been named among the world’s safest full-service airlines for 2025, according to the annual rankings released by aviation safety and product rating site AirlineRatings.com.
Emirates tied for third place alongside Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific, while Etihad Airways secured the seventh spot in the list of the Top 25 Safest Full-Service Airlines. The rankings were based on safety records, fleet age, incident history, pilot training, and operational standards.
Emirates, Etihad in top 10
Both Emirates and Etihad maintained strong safety standards and modern fleets, helping them rank among the global leaders in airline safety. The recognition further highlights the UAE’s standing in international aviation safety and operations.
“The three-way tie for third place was because we simply could not separate these airlines,” said AirlineRatings.com CEO Sharon Petersen. “From fleet age to pilot skill, safety practices, fleet size, and number of incidents, their scores were identical.”
Air New Zealand and Qantas claimed the first and second positions, respectively. Petersen noted that a slightly younger fleet gave Air New Zealand the edge over Qantas.
flydubai, Air Arabia ranked
In the low-cost carrier category, flydubai and Air Arabia were included in the Top 25 Safest Low-Cost Airlines for 2025. flydubai ranked 11th, while Air Arabia was placed 18th, reaffirming the safety reputation of UAE budget airlines.
HK Express topped the low-cost airline list, followed by Jetstar Group and Ryanair.
How safety is assessed
AirlineRatings evaluates over 385 airlines globally based on several criteria, including:
Fleet age and size
Serious incidents over two years
Fatality record
IOSA and ICAO audit results
Profitability
Pilot training and response to incidents
AirlineRatings emphasised that how an airline handles an incident—such as the well-managed evacuation of JAL Flight 516 in 2024—can positively impact its safety profile.
Aviation remains safe
Despite some high-profile incidents in late 2024, the risk of death per flight remains extremely low—about one in 13.7 million, based on data from 2018 to 2022. In contrast, road accidents remain a far more significant cause of fatalities worldwide.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
