January 1, 2025: The last week of December 2024 witnessed three successive air crashes which left the world rattled and public confidence in air travel and aviation safety badly shaken. Hundreds of causalities were reported leaving families mourning the loss of their loved ones. These three plane crashes involving Jeju Air, Air Canada and Azerbaijan Airlines have prompted urgent investigations into the matter.

The first incident took place on Christmas December 25, 2024, which involved Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft, an Embraer 190AR, carrying 67 passengers enroute from Baku, Azerbaijan to Grozny, Russia. During its approach to Grozny, the plane was reportedly diverted towards Aktau. Tragically, the plane crashed during the emergency landing resulting in 38 fatalities. The recovery teams are working to retrieve the remains and black box.

Meanwhile, a Jeju Air Flight 2216, a Boeing 737-800, crashed in South Korea at Muan International Airport enroute from Bangkok. The plane faced an initial failed landing attempt and during the second landing attempt, the aircraft landed without being able to deploy its landing gear resulting in a skid along the runway at high speed and collied with a concrete fence leading to a catastrophic fire. The plane was carrying 181 passengers out of which 179 passengers perished in the crash.

Right after some hours of the Jeju Aircraft crash, there was another crash at Vancouver International Airport on December 29, 2024. The flight was en route from Toronto Pearson International Airport carrying 134 passengers. Fortunately, all the passengers survived the crash, including the crew members. The plane experienced an engine snag, resulting in smoke and the pilot declared an emergency landing. However, during the landing, the landing gear malfunctioned which resulted in the aircraft skidding off the runway resulting in the plane catching fire.

These incidents have sparked serious debates over the reliability of aircraft maintenance and have caused significant challenges in global aviation. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has expressed its deep condolences and called for a detailed investigation to prevent any future tragedy. ICAO secretary general Juan Carlos Salazar said, “Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this incredibly difficult time.”

While aviation remains one of the safest modes of travel, these events underline the need for improvement in safety standards, proper pilot training and operational supervision.

The investigators are working to provide accountability, answers and compensation to the families of the victims. The airlines and the local government are also providing extended support to the families of the deceased.