<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>336465</docID> <postdate>2025-01-13 17:28:49</postdate> <headline>Older Qantas planes blamed for runner-up safety rating</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-336466" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/20180822001358238656-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>Qantas is again placed second on Airline Ratings' safety list. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Jack Gramenz</strong> in Sydney</span></p> <p><strong>Older planes have been blamed for Qantas narrowly losing out on a aviation safety top ranking to a New Zealand competitor as the Aussie airline awaits new jets to replace its ageing fleet.</strong></p> <p>Air New Zealand took pole position on website Airline Ratings' list of the world's safest airlines for the second year running after overtaking its trans-Tasman rival in 2024.</p> <p>Virgin Australia came in at fourth on the list, however three airlines tied in third place.</p> <p>Qantas last topped the list in 2023 and its second-place ranking over the last two years has been attributed to an ageing fleet.</p> <p>"This is a fair point as they do have an older fleet - quite old actually - and they did have some issues recently with some of their older aircraft," Sydney University professor and aviation expert Rico Merkert told AAP.</p> <p>"That said, if maintained well, older aircraft can also be incredibly safe," he added.</p> <p>Airline Ratings chief executive Sharon Petersen said there was not much difference between the top-ranking airlines.</p> <p>"Whilst both airlines uphold the highest safety standards and pilot training, Air New Zealand continue to have a younger fleet than Qantas, which separates the two," she said.</p> <p>Virgin's ranking largely came down to having a smaller fleet and operating fewer flights.</p> <p>"Between Qantas, Emirates, Qatar, Cathay and Virgin, there's less than a point separating it, it's minuscule," Ms Petersen said.</p> <p>Griffith University aviation management lecturer Bojana Spasojevic said fleet age did not directly correlate with safety.</p> <p>While newer planes could boost passenger confidence, comprehensive maintenance and safety protocols remained crucial.</p> <p>"However, passengers often perceive newer aircraft as safer and more comfortable, which can enhance their overall travel experience," Dr Spasojevic said.</p> <p>"Safety perceptions significantly influence passenger choices... sometimes even over cost considerations."</p> <p>Qantas-owned Jetstar also took out second place in the ranking for safest low-cost airlines, behind Cathay Pacific-owned Hong Kong Express.</p> <p>A Qantas group spokesperson said both airlines were committed to safety as a top priority.</p> <p>"The whole aviation industry is focused on ensuring flying remains the safest way to travel through continual learning and improvement," they said.</p> <p>Airline Ratings uses fleet age and size, pilot skill and training, serious recent incidents, fatalities and profitability alongside other factors to determine its rankings.</p> <p>Qantas might regain top spot on the coming year's ranking as new planes enter service as part of fleet renewal that began in 2023.</p> <p>The airline's program includes several models of Airbus aircraft as well as more long-haul Boeing 787 planes.</p> <p>Procuring planes was an expensive and prolonged process, and manufacturers faced backlogs with many airlines competing for newer aircraft in a bid to lower emissions with more fuel-efficient models, Prof Merkert said.</p> <p>Ms Petersen said air travel was one of the safest modes of transport but it also had the most nervous passengers, partly because crashes - such as those in Kazakhstan and South Korea that killed more than 200 people in late December - attracted global attention.</p> <p>"When things go wrong, everyone knows about it," she said.</p> </body>