MH17 not included in IATA airplane accident statistics

Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 is not included in airplane accident fatality statistics released Monday by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The inclusion would have added another 298 victims to the total of 641 for 2014, already a 300 percent increase over 2013 figures.

“The shooting down of MH 17 took with it 298 lives in an act of aggression that is by any measure unacceptable," writes IATA Director General and CEO Tony Tyler in a statement. "Governments and industry have come together to find ways to reduce the risk of over-flying conflict zones. This includes better sharing of critical information about security risks to civil aviation."

All four passenger planes involved the attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001 were classified the same way, IATA states. "The destruction of MH 17 by anti-aircraft weaponry, however, is not included as an accident under globally-recognized accident classification criteria."

"Governments and industry have come together to find ways to reduce the risk of over-flying conflict zones. And we are calling on governments to find an international mechanism to regulate the design, manufacture and deployment of weapons with anti-aircraft capabilities," says Tyler.

By contrast, Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 was included in the accident statistics though the reasons behind the flight's disappearance are still unknown.

Last year's total number of accident victims is considerably higher than 210 fatalities reported in 2013, or the five-year average of 517. Still, the volume of accidents and fatal accidents decreased compared to both last year and the average.

The global jet accident rate is measured in hull losses per one million flights. The lowest rate in history, 0.23, was measured last year and is equivalent of one accident per 4.4 million flights. Previous data show the global jet accident rate standing at 0.41, or an average of one accident per 2.4 million flights, in 2013 and at 0.58 over the five year average.

"The greatest tribute that we can pay to those who lost their lives in aviation-related tragedies is to continue our dedication to make flying ever safer. And that is exactly what we are doing," Tyler states in IATA's press release.