Allianz and Embry-Riddle University aviation study: Safer skies but claims and risks grow 

Press release | 05. November 2019 | Johannesburg/London/Munich/New York/Paris/São Paulo/Singapore 
  • Fewer fatal accidents, but growing number of costly claims for the aviation industry and insurers from collisions, groundings and aircraft repairs
  • Analysis of 50,000 aviation insurance claims shows collision/crash incidents major cause of loss, followed by faulty workmanship and machinery breakdown
  • Bird strikes a notable cause of loss. Almost 15,000 reported wildlife collisions in the US alone a year. Average claim costs US$360,000
  • Future risk trends: more costly grounding incidents, business interruption incidents from cyber and drone events; more turbulence from climate change

The global airline industry has experienced some of its safest years ever in terms of fatal accidents recently, despite a number of crashes. However, the long-term improvement in its risk management record is challenged by a growing number of insurance claims and risks, according to aviation insurer Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS).

More costly repairs and engine claims, damage from foreign objects such as bird strikes, ground collision incidents, slips and falls, fleet groundings, mis-fueling incidents, and liability awards, are just some of the areas in which insurers are seeing heightened loss activity, AGCS highlights in a new report Aviation Risk 2020: Safety And The State of The Nation, produced in partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace. 

“Thankfully, fatal air accidents involving the modern generation of commercial aircraft are now infrequent and the past few years have been among the safest ones in aviation history,” says Tom Fadden, Global Head of Aviation at AGCS. “However, the headline improvements in safety shouldn’t lull the aviation industry into a false sense of security. The sheer volume and magnitude of aviation losses is often underestimated – at any time Allianz alone will handle thousands of claims. And be it grounding incidents or collisions with drones – there are also many new risks on the horizon which airlines, manufacturers and airports have to prepare for.”

The report, which analyzes more than 50,000 aviation insurance industry claims worth more than €14.8bn ($16.3bn) from 2013 to  2018 [1], reveals that collision/crash incidents currently account for over half the value of all claims (57%) equivalent to €8.4bn ($9.3bn) – and over a quarter of claims by number (27%). In future, more costly grounding incidents, business interruption incidents resulting from cyber and drone events, and more incidences of turbulence are just some of the trends expected to have an influence on the loss landscape, the report notes.

“Overall, aviation insurance claims are increasing in frequency and severity driven by higher values of aircraft, increased repair costs and rising liability awards for crash victims,” says Dave Warfel,  Regional Head of Aviation, North America at AGCS. “The volume of claims is also a reflection of growth in air transport, with increased passenger numbers and more congested airports, as well as growing demands on airlines, manufacturers and ground services.”

The fact that collision/crash is the top cause of aviation insurance claims is not just driven by major aviation disasters.  Such claims also incorporate incidents such as hard landings, bird strikes and incidents on-the-ground. For example, the average runway incident claim totals around €1.7mn ($1.9mn). Faulty workmanship/maintenance is the second top cause of claims, followed by machinery breakdown.

Modern aircraft with sophisticated engines and built with light carbon materials can be more expensive to repair, contributing to more expensive claims. The increasing complexity of aircraft design, technology and manufacturing is also leading to more costly grounding incidents, involving entire fleets, as in the case of the redesigned Boeing 737 Max, which remains grounded following two fatal crashes within five months in 2018 and 2019. “Such incidents highlight the challenge in finding technical solutions to complex problems, which increases the time it takes to get grounded aircraft back into operation. Civil aviation and airline safety authorities have grown increasingly cautious and rightly so. However, this will likely result in more, and longer, groundings of aircraft in the future,” says Warfel.

 - Dave Warfel,  Regional Head of Aviation, North America at AGCS
The report also notes that liability claims per passenger are increasing with many US plaintiff attorneys seeking higher awards. With potential awards per passenger in the millions of dollars, a major aviation crash could subsequently result in a liability loss of $1bn in future. Insurers are also seeing a higher level of foreign object damage claims. There were more than 14,600 reported airplane collisions with wildlife in 2018 in the United States alone, according to the US Federal Aviation Administration. In particular, bird strikes are a notable contributor to claims globally with the average claim costing around $360,000. Some can cost as much as $16mn. In addition, mis-fueling claims are also increasing. Mistakes by ground crews can result in costly engine damage and repairs and lengthy groundings when fuel systems have to be replaced, but can also have catastrophic consequences, potentially causing jet engines to shut down in flight.

The report also highlights that a range of new risk scenarios are emerging. For example, the projected demand for around 800,000 new pilots over the next 20 years – double the current workforce – brings challenges in recruitment and training, particularly in flight schools. Meanwhile, questions continue to be raised about pilots’ overreliance on aircraft automation systems. A number of recent accidents highlight that pilots need to be better prepared to be able to take manual corrective actions in event of technical malfunction.

Incidences of turbulence are predicted to increase in future due to climate change with the North Atlantic flight passageway anticipated to see the greatest increase. Thousands of flights cross the Atlantic every day. Extreme turbulence can cause structural damage to aircraft, which can cost millions of dollars. The growing number of drones in the skies and cyber risks such as hacker attacks, systems outages and data breaches are also expected to have a significant impact on the aviation loss landscape in future.

Passengers can feel safer than ever on board an airplane, but will have to be prepared for more incidences of turbulence in future, according to the report. Picture: Adobe Stock
Accidents-on-the-ground remain problematic and could exacerbate. In many cases, airport infrastructure has not kept pace with the rapid growth in passenger and aircraft numbers. It is anticipated that the vast majority of the world’s busiest airports will likely see capacity issues within 10 years. Ground congestion is not only cause for concern on the basis of delays, but also for safety as well. Crowded servicing areas and aprons are resulting in more collisions and ramp accidents, the report notes. 

The report also highlights the ongoing decline in the number of fatal accidents over the past 60 years – a period when passenger growth has increased significantly. Between 2008 and 2017, there were 2,199 fatalities from 37 commercial passenger jet fleet events globally – less than 8% of the total number since 1959 [2]. In 2017, for the first time in at least 60 years of aviation, there were no fatalities on a passenger jet flight. 2018 ranks as the third safest year ever with 2015 ranked second.

The continuous improvement in aviation safety can be attributed to a number of factors. Safety systems and cultures have improved enormously. Design implementations have had a dramatic impact on accident rates, including aerodynamic and airframe improvements, fail-safe design criteria, improvements to cockpit instrumentation and the increasing number of fly-by-wire controlled aircraft in operation. There have also been significant improvements in manufacturing, aircraft operations and regulation. Finally, improvements in science have also allowed the aviation industry to better understand how human factors affect safety.

[1] Between July 1, 2013 and December 31, 2018
[2] Boeing, Statistical Summary of Commercial Jet Airplane Accidents Worldwide Operations 1959-2017, October 2018
Keep up to date on all news and insights from Allianz Commercial

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) is a leading global corporate insurance carrier and a key business unit of Allianz Group. We provide risk consultancy, Property-Casualty insurance solutions and alternative risk transfer for a wide spectrum of commercial, corporate and specialty risks across 12 dedicated lines of business.

Our customers are as diverse as business can be, ranging from Fortune Global 500 companies to small businesses, and private individuals. Among them are not only the world’s largest consumer brands, tech companies and the global aviation and shipping industry, but also wineries, satellite operators or Hollywood film productions. They all look to AGCS for smart answers to their largest and most complex risks in a dynamic, multinational business environment and trust us to deliver an outstanding claims experience.

Worldwide, AGCS operates with its own teams in 33 countries and through the Allianz Group network and partners in over 200 countries and territories, employing over 4,400 people. As one of the largest Property-Casualty units of Allianz Group, we are backed by strong and stable financial ratings. In 2018, AGCS generated a total of €8.2 billion gross premium globally.

 

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University teaches the science, practice, and business of the world of aviation and aerospace. Since its foundation in 1925, 22 years after the Wright brothers’ first flight, the university and its graduates have built an enviable record of achievement in every aspect of aviation and aerospace. The curriculum at Embry-Riddle covers the operation, engineering, research, manufacturing, marketing, and management of modern aircraft and the systems that support them. The university engages in extensive research and consulting that address the unique needs of aviation, aerospace, and related industries.

For more information please visit: http://www.erau.edu

As with all content published on this site, these statements are subject to our Forward Looking Statement disclaimer: