KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 15): More than 3.5 billion people flew safely on 37.6 million flights (31.4 million by jet and 6.2 million by turboprop), according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

In a statement on 2015 airlines safety performance today, IATA said there were 68 accidents (all aircraft types), down from 77 in 2014 and the five-year average of 90 per year.

It said there were four fatal accidents (all aircraft types) versus 12 in 2014 and the five-year average of 17.6.

IATA said there were 136 fatalities compared to 641 fatalities in 2014 and the five-year average of 504.

"10 hull loss accidents involving jets compared to 8 in 2014 and the five-year average of 13 per year.

"Zero jet hull loss accidents involving passenger fatalities, down from three in 2014 and the five-year average of 6.4 per year," it said.

IATA director general and chief executive officer Tony Tyler said 2015 was another year of contrasts when it comes to aviation's safety performance. In terms of the number of fatal accidents, it was an extraordinarily safe year.

"The long-term trend data show us that flying is getting even safer. Yet we were all shocked and horrified by two deliberate acts — the destruction of Germanwings 9525 and Metrojet 9268.

"While there are no easy solutions to the mental health and security issues that were exposed in these tragedies, aviation continues to work to minimise the risk that such events will happen again," he said.