Recent statistics published by Eurostat reveal that non-commercial aviation activities accounted for the majority of fatalities in European Union aviation accidents in 2025. The report indicates that out of 116 fatalities, 109 were linked to non-commercial operations, which include corporate flights, training, and aircraft repositioning, among others.
Compared to 2024, the number of fatalities in 2025 increased by approximately 27.5%, even as the number of injuries decreased by roughly one-third. The data, supplied by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), underscores the continued risks associated with various types of aviation activities within the EU.
Aircraft Types and Fatalities
The statistics specify that accidents involving aeroplanes caused 79 fatalities, while helicopters and sailplanes each resulted in 18 deaths. Balloon accidents caused a single fatality, and no deaths were reported from unmanned aircraft operations, although two individuals sustained injuries. The geographical detail emphasizes that the fatalities in commercial air transport are confined to accidents within the EU, with an estimated total of 16 fatalities when accounting for incidents involving EU-registered aircraft outside of Europe.
Furthermore, the report notes a notable shift in injury patterns in commercial flights, with minor injuries halving from 64 to 32, while serious injuries increased slightly from 27 to 28— the highest during the 2015-2025 period. Eurostat cautions that the figures remain provisional for 2023 through 2025 and might be revised after further investigations.
These comprehensive findings highlight the importance of ongoing safety assessments and the need for targeted measures to reduce fatalities and injuries across all aviation sectors within the EU.
