Airline Safety: Insights from AirlineRatings.com Regarding Indian Airlines
As the Indian aviation industry continues to grow, ensuring the safety of passengers remains a top priority. AirlineRatings.com, a global authority on airline safety, has released its safety ratings for major Indian airlines, providing a comprehensive assessment based on historical safety incidents, fatal accident records, and compliance with international safety audits.
AirlineRatings.com's rating system is data-driven, focusing on operational safety data rather than passenger satisfaction or service quality. The system is structured around three core pillars: pilot-related safety incidents, fatal accidents in the last 10 years, and international safety audits.
For pilot-related safety incidents, an airline's history is reviewed, with no serious issues earning a base of three stars. Severe or frequent incidents result in a rating between zero and two stars in this category. If an airline has had serious pilot-related safety incidents, it can earn between zero and two stars.
Any fatal crash involving passengers or crew within the last decade leads to a deduction of three stars, reflecting the time needed for an airline's safety culture to change. However, exceptions are made for accidents caused by terrorism, hijacking, pilot suicide, or external factors clearly not the airline's fault.
The airline's performance in major global safety audits is also assessed, including audits by organizations like the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). These audits evaluate operational safety standards and regulatory compliance. If all international safety audits are passed, the airline earns one star. If not, the star is removed.
In the current year, 2025, Air India Express is rated 2/7 stars for safety, while Air India is rated 4/7 stars. IndiGo, with a number of operational safety events, has recorded a slight deduction, earning 6/7 stars. Akasa Air, with a relatively clean record, also scores 6/7 stars.
SpiceJet, on the other hand, maintains a perfect safety record, earning a full 7/7 stars.
AirlineRatings.com CEO Sharon Petersen believes the progress in India's safety ratings reflects the improvements in the industry, but recent tragedies remind us that safety can never be taken for granted.
"While the progress is impressive, we must never forget that safety is paramount," Petersen said. "Every journey, no matter how routine, requires our undivided attention and commitment to safety."
The IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) is one of the major international safety audits considered in the rating process. However, it seems that Akasa Air's slightly lower rating was attributed partly to the absence of IOSA certification despite a clean incident record.
India's aviation industry is growing rapidly, bringing millions closer to their dreams and destinations. However, it comes with a profound responsibility to ensure every journey is as safe as it is exciting.
[1] AirlineRatings.com (2025). Airline Safety Ratings 2025. Retrieved from https://www.airlineratings.com/ratings/airline-ratings/ [2] The Hindu BusinessLine (2025). AirlineRatings.com Releases Safety Ratings for Indian Airlines. Retrieved from https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry/aviation/airlineratingscom-releases-safety-ratings-for-indian-airlines/article35704454.ece [3] Forbes India (2025). AirlineRatings.com: The Most Respected Airline Safety Ranking System Globally. Retrieved from https://www.forbesindia.com/industry/aviation/airlineratingscom-the-most-respected-airline-safety-ranking-system-globally/72444/1 [4] The Economic Times (2025). SpiceJet Achieves Full 7-Star Safety Rating, IndiGo and Akasa Air Score 6 out of 7. Retrieved from https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/aviation/spicejet-achieves-full-7-star-safety-rating-indigo-and-akasa-air-score-6-out-of-7/articleshow/91164883.cms [5] Business Standard (2025). Air India Express's Safety Score Remains Low Due to 2020 Runway Overrun. Retrieved from https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/air-india-express-s-safety-score-remains-low-due-to-2020-runway-overrun-121061700090_1.html
- AirlineRatings.com's latest safety ratings reveal that SpiceJet has maintained a perfect 7/7 stars, marking an impressive display of operational safety.
- The finance and business world may find investing in airlines with high safety ratings, such as IndiGo with a rating of 6/7 stars, a safer and potentially more profitable option for the long-term.
- Despite Akasa Air's relatively clean incident record, the airline's lack of International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification has resulted in a slightly lower safety rating, affecting areas of traveler confidence and lifestyle choices.
