Malaysia targets zero fatal aviation accidents under new safety plan

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has set targets to achieve zero fatal commercial aviation accidents and an International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) score of at least 90 per cent by 2028 through the Malaysia Aviation Safety Plan 2026–2028. Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Jana Santhiran Muniayan unveiled the plan, aiming to strengthen aviation safety in the next three years.

Key objectives include maintaining zero fatal accidents, reducing serious incidents and runway safety events, and enhancing safety reporting. The plan aligns with the ICAO and Asia-Pacific Regional Aviation Safety Plans, ensuring regional safety goals are met. Muniayan emphasized that while aviation has had an impressive safety record, it must not be taken for granted, as it stems from continuous investment, strong institutions, professional competence, and a culture of learning from all incidents, both accidents and non-accidents.

As technology advances and operations become more complex, safety discipline must intensify. For Malaysia, aviation safety is a national priority, supporting public confidence, protecting lives, and bolstering the country's tourism, trade, investment, and connectivity. The government's focus rests on three pillars: maintaining a competent and effective regulator with qualified professionals, reliable systems, and sustained institutional capacity; ensuring safety performance is measurable and transparent through clear indicators, credible data, and timely reporting; and keeping regulations current with innovation as new technologies improve safety but also introduce cybersecurity and human-factor risks.

Cooperation across borders and responsible information sharing are crucial for collective aviation safety.