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UAE's 3 airlines rated among world’s 5 safest; Etihad ranked safest globally
The UAE carriers have invested billions of dollars in new and fuel-efficient aircraft, enhancing their safety and ensuring the best services
- PUBLISHED: Tue 13 Jan 2026, 7:49 AM
- By:
- Waheed Abbas
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Three UAE carriers have been rated among the world’s top five safest airlines.
According to AirlineRatings’ 2026 list of the world’s safest airlines, Etihad topped the global list, followed by Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Air New Zealand, Singapore, Eva Air, Virgin Australia and Korean Air, making up the top 10 list. The study covered 25 full-fledged airlines and budget carriers from each category.
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“This is the first year a Gulf carrier has taken the number one spot. Etihad achieved this through a combination of factors: a young fleet, advancements in cockpit safety, particularly around turbulence, a crash-free history, and the lowest incident rate per flight of any airline on the list. The airline also participated in our independent onboard safety audit and demonstrated excellent adherence to turbulence management in the cabin,” said Sharon Petersen, CEO of AirlineRatings.
“We are incredibly proud to receive one of the most respected airline safety awards in the world from AirlineRatings, an independent, globally recognised organisation. As the first Gulf carrier to achieve this position, it reflects the strength of our safety culture, the dedication of our people, and the aviation excellence of our region,” said Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways.
The UAE carriers have invested billions of dollars in new and fuel-efficient aircraft, enhancing their safety and ensuring the best services.
During the Dubai Airshow 2025 in November, the UAE carriers – Emirates, Etihad Airways and flydubai – ordered over 500 commercial and cargo aircraft worth nearly Dh420 billion.
According to AirlineRatings, other notable inclusions are Starlux and Fiji Airways, both making their list debut.
Sharon Petersen, CEO of AirlineRatings, stressed that it is important for the travelling public to understand just how narrow the margins are between the world’s safest airlines, and that small numerical differences should not be interpreted as gaps in safety.
She added that every airline that features in the 2026 list has recorded incidents, from tail strikes to on-board fires and engine shutdowns.
“Yet the actual incident rate per flight sits between 0.002 and 0.09 across the airlines, which is a true credit to the industry as a whole. In the modern era of aviation, where serious incidents are rare, inclusion in the top 25 reflects not just excellence in aircraft and operations but the crucial role of skilled aircrew and robust safety practices across the airline,” added Petersen.
Budget carriers
In the budget airline category, flydubai has been ranked fourth in the Safest Airlines list. The Dubai-based carrier is the only regional airline to make it to the top 10 list.
HK Express topped the list, followed by Jetstar Airways, Scoot, flydubai, EasyJet Group, AirBaltic, VietJet Air, Wizz Air Group, and AirAsia Group, which were ranked as the 10 safest budget carriers.
“Notable changes this year include the inclusion of Spring Airlines China, the first Chinese airline to appear on any of our rankings, and AirBaltic, which has made a significant jump into the top 10,” Sharon Petersen added.
HK Express claimed the top accolade for a second time, driven by a modern fleet, an exceptionally low incident rate, and an almost flawless onboard safety audit. Given Hong Kong’s stringent incident reporting requirements, this low incident rate and absence of serious incidents genuinely reflect a highly disciplined and well-run operation.”
Airlines operating fewer than 25 aircraft were excluded from consideration, reflecting a focus on larger, high-frequency operations.
