Finnair: World’s Safest Airline

Finnair topped the world’s safest airlines list, according to the 2012 airline safety ranking recently released by Europe’s Jet Airliner Crash Data Evaluation Center (JACDEC).

The list ranked Air New Zealand second, followed by Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific, Dubai-based Emirates and Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways.

UK carrier British Airways ranked 10th on JACDEC’s list.

The Safety Index ratings are calculated by comparing serious incidents suffered by airlines over the past 30 years to the revenue passenger kilometers they have flown over the same period.

Safety Index Top Ten
1. Finnair
2. Air New Zealand
3. Cathay Pacific
4. Emirates
5. Etihad Airways
6. Eva Air
7. Tap Portugal
8. Hainan Airlines
9. Virgin Australia
10. British Airways

According to JACDEC, in total, there were 496 fatalities on commercial flights last year, two fewer than in 2011.

In regards to other rankings, Lufthansa came 11th, Virgin Atlantic 15th, easyJet 17th, Thomas Cook Airlines 18th, Qatar Airways 22nd, Delta Air Lines 28th and Ryanair 32nd.

To see the the full list of this years JACDEC Airline Safety Ranking, press here.