EASA reviews European aviation safety in 2025 in new annual report

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency published its Annual Safety Review 2026 on 26 October, examining safety outcomes across European aviation during 2025. It compares accident and incident information with the preceding ten years and identifies important safety risks in different areas of aviation. This is a broad review of recorded safety performance, not an alert about a particular airport or flight.

EASA says that in almost every domain it reviewed, fatal accidents and the number of people killed remained at or below the average of the previous ten years. The agency describes this as evidence that safety is generally stable or improving, while recognising that results differ between categories of operation. The conclusion does not mean that aviation risks have been eliminated.

For the first time, the detailed assessment is accompanied by a six-page summary covering major figures and the leading risks. The shorter document addresses commercial air transport aeroplanes, rotorcraft and general aviation. EASA uses the findings as input to its wider European safety-risk management work and the European Plan for Aviation Safety.

For travellers, the distinction between a retrospective safety study and operational information is essential. A published annual review does not by itself announce flight cancellations, airport restrictions or new check-in requirements. Passengers seeking answers for a planned journey should check the airline and airport directly, while readers interested in the evidence can consult EASA's full report and summary.