According to new Iata figures, there were 11 fatal accidents last year at a cost of 523 passenger and crew lives.

This is up significantly on the six crashes in 2017, which were responsible for just 19 deaths – a record low.

The all accident rate in 2018 (accidents per one million flights), was 1.35, equivalent to one accident for every 740,000 flights – up 0.24 on 2017.

However, it still represents a substantial improvement against the most recent five-year (2013-2017) all accident rate of 1.79.

“Flying continues to be the safest form of long distance travel the world has ever known,” Iata director general and chief executive Alexandre de Juniac said.

“Based on the data, on average, a passenger could take a flight every day for 241 years before experiencing an accident with one fatality on board.

"We remain committed to the goal of having every flight take off and land safely.

“2018 was not the extraordinary year 2017 was. However, flying is safe, and the data tells us it is getting safer.”