Flying has become more dangerous. Don't just blame Boeing

Flying has become deadlier than it has been for years and it’s hard to pin it solely on Boeing’s infamous 737 Max. Aircraft accidents occurred more frequently in almost every region worldwide in 2018 as the death toll climbed to a 4-year high of 523, according to IATA. So what happened to the safest form of travel? What’s clear is that demand for air travel is growing so fast -- IATA expects it to double in the next 20 years -- that airlines, plane makers and regulators are struggling to keep up. Meanwhile, the pressure to keep costs low has intensified with the proliferation of no-frills carriers catering to travellers unrelentingly obsessed with ticket prices. And the reality is that safety costs money and there’s a limit to how much the industry can spend safeguarding human life. “You get what you pay for,” said one safety scientist. <br/>