AirlineRatings.com rates serious incidents in global first

Geoffrey Thomas

By Geoffrey Thomas Sat Aug 8, 2020

AirlineRatings.com has launched refined safety ratings that focus more on outcomes than audits to counter fake pilot license scandals and some disturbing pilot actions. SUBSCRIBE now for the new Safety Ratings. The major refinement in its rating system examines serious incidents as a guide to an airline’s operational standards and pilot performance. To arrive at the incident rating Airline Ratings has examined over 11,000 serious event reports since 2015 to establish a rating for airlines. Incidents and crashes now account for five of the seven-star ratings. In the process, incidents such as bird strikes, lightning and weather were eliminated along with issues that were not related to the airline or pilots. This brought the number of serious incidents down to 1,200 and our team, over the past six months, meticulously looked at each and reviewed the reports to determine responsibility and other factors. READ: The rise and rise of Kam Air Audits are still very important and we review completion or compliance with audits from ICAO and IATA's IOSA plus the EU blacklist and FAA restricted list. If all the boxes are ticked then another star is awarded.* Commenting AirlineRatings.com Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas said: “There is a growing concern industry-wide at some pilot performance issues and we have evolved our rating system to put greater focus on outcomes.” “In some recent fatal crashes, the pilots have either shown total disregard for ATC instructions, ignored repeated aircraft warning systems or ignored company procedures – or, in one case, all three.” “The Pakistan fake pilots’ license scandal has also brought into sharp focus that in some parts of the world getting a pilot’s license can be subject to abuse.” The refined ratings, with a COVID-19 health compliance rating, are available for a small yearly subscription of US$15. That subscription also includes an exclusive weekly editorial from Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas delivered directly to your email inbox.
Image
Geoffrey Thomas (right) with CNN's Richard Quest.
Mr. Thomas has won 45 awards for his work, is the author of 10 books on the industry, has done four documentaries, appeared in the AgeofAerospace and Air Crash Investigation and works with numerous TV networks across the globe including BBC, CNN, SkyNews and Al Jazeera.
  • In the audits, if an airline has not done IOSA but has had 20 years of fatality-free flying it is accepted that the airline is up to IOSA standard. 
SUBSCRIBE now for the new Safety Ratings.  

Have questions or want to share your thoughts?

Comments

No comments yet, be the first to write one.

Latest news and reviews

View more
US aviation safety under scrutiny – what the data really shows
Airline News

US aviation safety under scrutiny – what the data really shows

Apr 2, 2026

Josh Wood
Delta A330 engine fire forces emergency landing
Airline News

Delta A330 engine fire forces emergency landing

Mar 31, 2026

Sharon Petersen
London to New York: how BA, Virgin, JetBlue, United, Delta, and Norse compare
Airline News

London to New York: how BA, Virgin, JetBlue, United, Delta, and Norse compare

Mar 30, 2026

Josh Wood
India opens its latest airport amid growing passenger demand: Noida International Airport
Airline News

India opens its latest airport amid growing passenger demand: Noida International Airport

Mar 30, 2026

Dev Lunawat

Featured articles

View more
Why Air Europa's economy product should not be forgotten
Airline Ratings review

Why Air Europa's economy product should not be forgotten

Mar 25, 2026

Josh Wood
How did an Air Canada Express CRJ900 collide with a fire truck at La Guardia?
Airline News

How did an Air Canada Express CRJ900 collide with a fire truck at La Guardia?

Mar 23, 2026

Dev Lunawat
US aviation safety under scrutiny – what the data really shows
Airline News

US aviation safety under scrutiny – what the data really shows

Apr 2, 2026

Josh Wood
World's Best Airline Cabin Awards 2026
Airline News

World's Best Airline Cabin Awards 2026

Mar 18, 2026

Airline Ratings