Safety Rating Change for Asiana Airlines
By Sharon Petersen Thu Oct 17, 2024
Asiana Airlines has seen a significant boost in its safety rating, jumping from a 2/7 to an impressive 6/7 on AirlineRatings.com. This upgrade marks a substantial improvement for the South Korean carrier, which had faced scrutiny in recent years for operational challenges and safety issues.
The Path to Improvement
Several factors contributed to Asiana’s improved rating. AirlineRatings evaluates airlines across a range of safety indicators, including adherence to international safety regulations, accident or crash history, pilot training programs, operational safety audits, and safety enhancements.
The airline now has a crash free record of more than 10 years awarding it an extra three points for safety. CEO Geoffrey Thomas states, ‘We believe 10 years is enough time for an airline to make the required safety, maintenance, education and cultural shifts required to ensure a similar incident never happens again. In addition to this the number of incidences the airline has been involved in has reduced over the past five years awarding them another star’
Asiana has also re-qualified for the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification, which is a key criterion for a high safety rating. This certification evaluates an airline's operational management and safety control systems, ensuring adherence to best practices.
Moving Beyond Previous Challenges
Asiana’s safety record has faced challenges, including the high-profile crash of Flight 214 in San Francisco in 2013, where pilot error was determined to be a significant factor. Additionally, the airline encountered operational incidents and safety issues that had eroded its reputation over the years and downgraded it’s rating further to a 1/3 from incidents.
The recent rating upgrade indicates Asiana’s resolve to move beyond those incidents.
What This Means for Travelers
A 6/7 safety rating positions Asiana Airlines alongside other major carriers known for strong safety practices. For passengers, this improvement offers renewed confidence in the airline’s operations.
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